Disclaimer: This guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you are experiencing an emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call 000.
What is it?
Incontinence is the unintentional loss of bladder and bowel control. This condition can range from minor leaks to complete loss of control. It can be managed, treated, and sometimes cured with the right help.
Incontinence affects millions of Australians. It includes:
- Urinary incontinence: Involuntary leakage of urine. More common in women, especially around pregnancy or menopause. Symptoms include occasional leaks during activities like sneezing or exercise, frequent urination, and a sudden urge to urinate.
- Faecal incontinence: Involuntary release of stool or gas. Involuntary bowel movements or gas, affecting both older and younger individuals. Causes include weakened anal muscles from childbirth, surgery, or other conditions like constipation.
Diabetes, kidney problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease can be linked to incontinence.
Addressing incontinence can greatly improve quality of life. Consult healthcare professionals for appropriate management and treatment options.
Risk factors
Incontinence can affect anyone but is more likely in those who are pregnant, obese, menopausal, have urinary tract infections, or have undergone certain surgeries. Conditions like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, and dementia also increase risk.
Symptoms
If you think you have a continence issue, talk to your doctor. Treatment depends on the cause and can often cure or effectively manage the condition. A routine and support from a health professional can help manage incontinence at home, work, during outings, exercise, and relationships.
Symptoms of Bladder Continence Problems:
- Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, or exercising
- Leaking urine on the way to the toilet
- Frequent urination
- The urgency to use the toilet
- Getting up twice or more at night to urinate
- Bedwetting
- Feeling the bladder isn’t completely empty
- Poor urine flow
- Straining to empty the bladder
- Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Symptoms of Bowel Continence Problems:
- Leaking from the bowel with the urge to have a bowel movement
- Rushing to the toilet with urgency
- Leaking without the urge to have a bowel movement
- Leaking when passing gas
- Inability to control gas
- Straining to empty the bowels
Incontinence can lead to depression and social isolation due to embarrassment and restricted activities. Treating incontinence can improve self-esteem, dignity, and social participation.
How we can help
We provide a convenient and secure system for you to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home or on the go with your smart device. You can have a video call on-demand by joining the queue for the next available doctor, or schedule an appointment at a time that suits you. We’re open every day, 24 hours a day – including public holidays – because we know illness and injury don’t adhere to conventional practice hours.
Much like a traditional appointment, your telehealth doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including:
- pre-existing conditions, family history, and lifestyle.
- preferred treatments and the ability to access them.
- individualised advice to treat your condition.
- referrals or scripts at the discretion of the doctor.
Why choose doctors on demand?
Talk to a doctor about incontinence.
Our patients choose us for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, to addressing specific concerns such as hair loss and acne – or simply because they need a medical certificate or referral. Choose from over 150 doctors with a wide range of qualifications and experiences, and 31 languages spoken, to find the right fit for you. All our doctors are registered in Australia by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for a minimum of 3 years.