Urinary Leaks in Women: Causes, Types, and When to See a Doctor

Urinary leaks affect 1 in 3 women after the age of 40. In this article, you will discover the 4 main types of incontinence (stress, urgency, mixed and overflow), their real causes (pregnancy, menopause, excess weight, high-impact sport), and most importantly, when to see a healthcare professional. You will also find practical solutions you can start today to reduce leaks: pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle adjustments, and choosing the right protection. With the right diagnosis and the right solutions, 80 to 90% of women regain a satisfying quality of life.

Urinary leaks are not exactly something you casually bring up over a coffee. And yet, if you are here reading this, please know this: you are absolutely not alone. One in three women after 40 is affected. Yes, one in three.

The problem is that many women wait months, even years, before they feel comfortable talking about it with their GP. You might tell yourself it is normal after having a baby, that you are too young for this, or on the other hand that it is simply “ageing”. But the truth is: there are solutions for almost every type of urinary leak.

In this guide, we will look together at why leaks happen, how to identify them accurately, and most importantly, when it becomes necessary to seek medical advice. Because yes, in 80 to 90% of cases, simple and non-invasive solutions work very well.

Urinary incontinence in women: what exactly is it?

A urinary leak, or urinary incontinence, is the involuntary loss of urine. It can range from a few drops when you cough to larger amounts you cannot hold back. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a sign that something is no longer functioning as it should in your bladder or pelvic floor.

In women, anatomy plays an important role. The female urethra is much shorter than men’s (around 4 cm compared to 20 cm), which naturally makes continence control more delicate. And the pelvic floor goes through a great deal over a lifetime: pregnancy, childbirth, menopause. All of this places real strain on the muscles.

Female urinary leaks: reassuring figures

You are truly not alone in this situation. Consider these statistics:

Between 35 and 40% of women over 40 experience urinary leaks. 70% of pregnant women have episodes of leakage during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester. Around half of women who deliver vaginally experience mild incontinence in the three months following childbirth. Yet only 30% of affected women consult a doctor within the first year.

These figures show two things: it is very common, but it is also widely undertreated. Many women believe they simply have to live with it. They do not.

The 4 types of urinary incontinence in women

Not all incontinence is the same. Identifying your exact type is the key to finding the right solution.

Stress incontinence: the most common in women

This is by far the most common type. You leak during physical effort that increases pressure in your abdomen: coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting something heavy, running or jumping. Stress incontinence represents around 50% of female incontinence cases.

Why does it happen? Your pelvic floor muscles and urethral sphincter are no longer strong enough to hold urine back when pressure rises suddenly. It is often linked to vaginal delivery (particularly with forceps or a baby over 4 kg), multiple pregnancies, menopause, excess weight or high-impact sport.

In real life, you may lose a few drops to a few millilitres of urine, only during effort. There is no urgent sensation beforehand. It is often worse at the end of the day or when your bladder is full.

Solutions that work: pelvic floor rehabilitation is effective in around 70% of cases. Losing weight if you are overweight can significantly reduce symptoms. In the meantime, wearing women’s incontinence underwear allows you to continue daily life confidently.

Urgency incontinence (urge incontinence)

This is different. You feel a sudden, intense and uncontrollable urge to urinate. If you cannot reach a toilet immediately, you leak. This represents around 20% of cases.

Your bladder contracts involuntarily and unpredictably, even when it is not full. This is known as an overactive bladder. Causes may include recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder irritation from smoking, caffeine or alcohol, neurological conditions, diabetes or pelvic organ prolapse.

Leaks are often more significant (around 50 to 200 ml). You may need to urinate more than eight times per day and wake several times at night.

Solutions include bladder training and, in some cases, medication prescribed by your GP. For heavier leaks, ultra-absorbent underwear such as Orykas models (up to 300 ml absorption) keeps you protected day and night.

Mixed incontinence

This combines stress and urgency incontinence. It affects around 25% of women with incontinence.

It is common during menopause, when the drop in oestrogen affects both muscle tone and the bladder lining.

Treatment usually combines pelvic floor rehabilitation and bladder training. Local oestrogen therapy may be prescribed by your GP or gynaecologist.

Overflow incontinence

This is rare in women (under 5% of cases) but requires prompt medical assessment. The bladder does not empty properly and eventually overflows.

Possible causes include severe prolapse, neurological disorders or certain medications.

You may feel constantly full, even after using the toilet. The urine stream may be weak, and leaks occur continuously, drop by drop.

In this case, consult a GP or urologist promptly to identify and treat the underlying cause.

Main causes of urinary leaks in women

Pregnancy and childbirth

During pregnancy, the baby’s weight places constant pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor. After vaginal delivery, muscles may be stretched or weakened.

Between 30 and 50% of women experience leakage in the first three months postpartum. With appropriate pelvic floor rehabilitation, around 70% regain normal continence.

Menopause

The drop in oestrogen affects muscle tone and tissue elasticity. Around 40 to 50% of postmenopausal women develop stress or mixed incontinence.

Excess weight

Every extra kilogram increases pressure on the pelvic floor. Women who are overweight are two to three times more likely to develop stress incontinence.

Losing just 5 to 10% of body weight can reduce leaks by up to 50%.

High-impact sport

Running, HIIT training, trampolining and similar sports place repeated strain on the pelvic floor. However, exercise should not be avoided entirely. The key is strengthening the pelvic floor alongside appropriate activity.

Recurrent urinary tract infections

Repeated infections irritate the bladder and may trigger urgency and leaks.

Other causes

Chronic constipation, smoking, certain medications, neurological conditions and pelvic organ prolapse may all contribute.

When should you see a doctor?

Seek urgent medical advice if you experience fever, blood in urine, severe pain when urinating, sudden onset of symptoms or difficulty emptying your bladder.

Book an appointment in the coming weeks if leaks affect your daily life, occur daily for several weeks, wake you more than twice per night, or persist beyond three months after childbirth.

Your GP is usually the first point of contact. They may refer you to a pelvic health physiotherapist, a gynaecologist or a urologist if needed.

Treatments for female urinary leaks

Lifestyle adjustments

Drink around 1.5 litres of water per day. Limit caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks. Reduce constipation with fibre-rich foods. Avoid artificial sweeteners and excessive salt.

Establish a healthy toileting routine: aim to urinate every 3 to 4 hours and take your time to empty your bladder fully.

Pelvic floor exercises

Contract your pelvic floor muscles for 5 seconds, relax for 10 seconds, repeat 10 times, three times daily. Consistency over 6 to 8 weeks can lead to 60 to 70% improvement.

Choosing the right protection

While waiting for treatment to take effect, discreet protection helps you stay confident.

Orykas ultra-absorbent underwear for women is designed specifically for female incontinence.

For light to moderate leaks (up to around 100 ml), everyday models provide comfort and discretion. For heavier leaks (up to 300 ml), ultra-absorbent models offer full-day or overnight protection.

All models are made from soft bamboo fibre and are OEKO-TEX certified. They are machine washable at 30°C and last 2 to 3 years with regular use.

From a cost perspective, disposable products can cost around £25 per month (approximately £300 per year). Reusable underwear represents a long-term investment and can save several hundred pounds over time, while also reducing waste.

To conclude

Female urinary incontinence is not something you simply have to accept. Whether it began after childbirth, during menopause or for another reason, effective solutions exist.

Remember: you are not alone. In most cases, symptoms can be significantly improved or resolved. Identifying your type of incontinence is the first step. Seeking professional advice early allows access to simple, non-invasive treatments. And modern, comfortable protection helps you live confidently throughout the process.

You deserve to live without limitations and with full confidence.