Urinary incontinence is a common problem that affects both men and women, although more frequently in women. It is estimated that 10-30% of all women will have urinary incontinence at one point in their lives. It is a condition that can be upsetting and embarrassing, and can affect certain aspects of a person’s life: work, social activities, hobbies, travel and intimacy. Regardless of the cause, incontinence is often successfully treated with physiotherapy.


Urinary incontinence means an involuntary loss of urine. According to the The Canadian Continence Foundation, 1.5 million people suffer from incontinence.

There are three types of incontinence:

• Stress incontinence: the most common, it occurs when there is a loss of urine from the bladder when there is a pressure applied to it suddenly. Activities such as coughing, sneezing, running, jumping and sexual relations can apply pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, which can also be stressed by obesity and constipation.
• Urge incontinence: can be caused by an involuntary and sudden bladder spasm. It is characterized by the need to urinate, but the inability to hold on until reaching the washroom.
• Mixed incontinence: is a combination of symptoms from stress and urge incontinence, which can occur at the same time, or in different circumstances.

Physiotherapy can help

Is it important for men and women of all ages to maintain pelvic floor strength. Pelvic floor exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist with training in this area have many benefits including maintaining continence, helping the bladder hold on after having the urge to urinate, and increase satisfaction during sexual relations. A physiotherapist will establish a specific exercice program, adapted specifically for the individual’s problems.This can include muscle re-education, bladder retraining and the strengthening of the pelvic floor. If the muscles are very weak, the physiotherapist can use a EGM/biofeedback or muscle stimulation for the strengthening.