Anatomical Incontinence in Women

Anatomical incontinence is the involuntary release of urine related to structural problems of the Reference urinary tract Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window that affect the urine flow. Anatomical incontinence may be present from birth (congenital).

The main symptom of anatomical incontinence is an almost continual release of urine.

Anatomical incontinence is caused by structural problems in the urinary tract that allow urine to leak past the muscle (sphincter) that retains urine in the Reference bladder Opens New Window. These problems include:

• An abnormal pouch (diverticulum) in the wall of the urethra. Urine can become trapped in the pouch and then leak out.
• An abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina (vesicovaginal fistula) or between a Reference ureter Opens New Window and the vagina (ureterovaginal fistula).

Treatment of anatomical incontinence concentrates on correcting the structural problem that is interfering with the bladder's retention of urine.

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