A Guide to Overflow Incontinence: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Overflow incontinence is a daily challenge.  It can turn your routine upside down with frustrating, constant urine leaks.

Whether it's due to a blockage, weak bladder muscles, or the bladder not being able to contract properly, this type of incontinence can be a real headache.

But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this guide, we’re taking a close look at everything you need to know about overflow incontinence— including symptoms, causes, and the best treatment options to get you back on track. 

In this guide:

• What are the symptoms of overflow incontinence?
• Causes of overflow urinary incontinence
• Overflow incontinence treatment 

What are the symptoms of overflow incontinence?

The symptoms of overflow incontinence can include:

• Constant dribbling of urine
• Difficulty starting to urinate
• A weak urine stream
• A frequent urge to urinate
• Fullness in the bladder
• An inability to empty the bladder completely 
• Loss of urine, especially during physical activity or at night

Causes of overflow urinary incontinence

Overflow urinary incontinence can be caused by a number of things that disrupt normal bladder function. Once you understand these causes, you can find the best treatment for yourself or a loved one. 

1. Blockage in the urinary tract

A major culprit behind overflow urinary incontinence is a blockage in the urinary tract.

For men, this can come from an enlarged prostate. As the prostate swells, it squeezes on the urethra, which carries urine out of your body.

This pressure then prevents the bladder from emptying completely, causing a blocked flow of urine.

But it’s not just the prostate that causes trouble; bladder stones can also be to blame. These hard deposits are formed from minerals in the urine and can clog up the urinary flow, leading to a full bladder and poor urine flow. 

2. Nerve damage and neurological conditions

Nerve signals are behind the bladder’s ability to store and release urine regularly.

But when bladder control signals are scrambled from nerve damage, the brain doesn’t know it’s time to empty out.

From there, the bladder holds on too long and leads to a messy overflow when it finally lets go.

A number of medical conditions can throw these signals off track, including: 

• Diabetes
• MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
• Spinal cord injuries

3. Medications 

Certain medications can cause overflow incontinence by messing with your bladder's natural rhythm.

For example, if you're taking blood pressure or depression meds, they might be overly relaxing your bladder muscles or throwing off the communication between your bladder and brain. 

4. Pelvic organ prolapse 

Pelvic organ prolapse is a major culprit behind overflow urinary incontinence - especially for women.

When the pelvic organs shift due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, they press against the urethra and block urine flow. Your bladder struggles to empty until it eventually overflows.

This condition is often tied to life events like childbirth, ageing, and other factors that weaken the pelvic floor muscles.

Need help managing your overflow incontinence? Our range of incontinence pads, pants, and pull-ups lets you live comfortably despite your symptoms. Browse our range at Incontinence UK now. 

Overflow incontinence treatment

Treating overflow incontinence isn't a one-size-fits-all thing; it’s about finding the best solution for your unique needs to help control your bladder and improve your overall quality of life.

1. Catheterisation 

This is a go-to treatment for overflow incontinence, especially when an obstruction is in the way. It involves slipping a catheter into the bladder and letting urine drain freely.

This is especially helpful if you’re dealing with an enlarged prostate, bladder stones, or any other blockages that stop the bladder from fully emptying.

Catheters keep things flowing smoothly and prevent a buildup of excess urine. This reduces the risk of urinary tract infections that come with overflow incontinence.

2. Surgical interventions 

When a physical flaw or major blockage causes overflow incontinence, surgery might be the best way forward.

Depending on the defect, this could be anything from a quick, minimally invasive fix to a more involved operation.

For men, this might mean prostate surgery to clear out a blockage from an enlarged prostate, while women could need pelvic surgery to correct prolapse problems.

3. Medications 

Medicinal treatments are game-changers when it comes to tackling overflow incontinence, especially if nerve damage or muscle weakness is part of the problem.

Alpha-blockers are a top choice—they work by relaxing the bladder and prostate muscles, encouraging urine flow and reducing the amount left in the bladder.

If an enlarged prostate is causing issues, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are a common go-to. These shrink the prostate and clear up obstructions. 
If you need a little extra help, cholinergic drugs kickstart bladder contractions, while Botox injections calm an overactive bladder.

4. Pelvic floor exercises 

Pelvic floor exercises (aka kegel exercises) are helpful for dealing with overflow incontinence, especially if weak bladder muscles are part of the problem.

By contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, it helps to give better control over your bladder and the flow of urine. 

Lifestyle changes for long-term management

Healthy lifestyle habits are key to keeping overflow incontinence in check. Here are the main ones to keep in mind:

• Simple tweaks to your diet are a great start. Ditch bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, and citrus fruits, and you’ll likely see a big drop in symptoms.

• Your drinking habits are just as important; spread out your fluid intake throughout the day to avoid overwhelming your bladder. 

• Keeping a healthy weight is another must, as extra pounds add pressure to your bladder, making incontinence worse. 

• Regular exercise also helps manage your weight and strengthens your pelvic muscles. This gives your bladder the support it needs to work its best.

• Getting your fluid intake just right is also a game-changer. But remember to sip the right amount at the right times to keep your bladder from feeling overloaded.

• Bladder training is another secret weapon. By taking a bathroom break every two to four hours, you teach your bladder to hold more urine. Over time, this strengthens your bladder muscles.

• Finally, bladder irritants need to go. Caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and even citrus fruits are part of the problem because they increase bladder activity which leads to more frequent urges.

Struggling with overflow incontinence? 

Overflow incontinence can be challenging to live with, but Incontinence UK offers a wide range of discreet incontinence products to help you manage.

From incontinence pads to pull-up pants, washable bedding, and wipes, we have everything to help lessen the impact of living with urinary incontinence, so you can continue to live as you want.

And with our handy Subscribe & Save option, you can save 10% on every order and enjoy convenient doorstep delivery whenever you need it.

Manage your urinary incontinence - and many other types of incontinence - with confidence with Incontinence UK!