Incontinence

Urinary leakage and bowel control problems are common, but they are not something you simply have to “live with.”

At our pelvic floor physiotherapy clinic serving Calgary and Okotoks, we provide evidence-informed treatment for urinary incontinence, urgency, frequency, and bowel leakage to help improve bladder control, pelvic floor function, confidence, and quality of life.

Whether you leak when coughing, rushing to the bathroom, exercising, or experience bowel urgency or gas leakage, pelvic floor physiotherapy may help.

What Is Incontinence?

Incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine, stool, or gas.

Pelvic floor dysfunction, pressure management problems, pregnancy, menopause, surgery, constipation, aging, and chronic coughing can all contribute to incontinence symptoms.

Common types include:

• Stress urinary incontinence

• Urge incontinence

• Mixed urinary incontinence

• Overflow symptoms

• Fecal incontinence

• Gas leakage

Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence occurs when urine leaks during activities that increase abdominal pressure.

Common triggers include:

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Laughing

• Running

• Jumping

• Lifting

• Exercise

Stress incontinence is often associated with:

• Pelvic floor weakness

• Reduced pelvic floor coordination

• Postpartum changes

• Menopause

• Pelvic organ prolapse

• Pressure management dysfunction

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve pelvic floor strength, coordination, and support during movement.

Urge Incontinence & Overactive Bladder

Urge incontinence involves a sudden, strong urge to urinate that may be difficult to control.

Symptoms may include:

• Rushing to the bathroom

• Frequent urination

• Leakage before reaching the toilet

• Nocturia (waking at night to urinate)

• “Key in the door” urgency

• Leakage triggered by running water

Overactive bladder symptoms may be related to:

• Pelvic floor dysfunction

• Bladder irritation

• Nervous system sensitivity

• Habitual bladder patterns

• Menopause-related changes

Treatment may include bladder retraining, urge suppression strategies, breathing retraining, and pelvic floor coordination work.

Mixed Urinary Incontinence

Many individuals experience both stress and urge incontinence together.

This is called mixed urinary incontinence.

For example, someone may leak:

• During exercise or coughing
  AND

• When rushing to the bathroom

Pelvic floor physiotherapy addresses the contributing factors specific to your symptoms.

Bowel Incontinence & Gas Leakage

Pelvic floor dysfunction may also contribute to:

• Fecal leakage

• Difficulty controlling gas

• Urgency with bowel movements

• Incomplete emptying

• Constipation-related leakage

These symptoms are more common than many people realize and can often improve with conservative pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Common Causes of Incontinence

Incontinence may be associated with:

• Pregnancy and childbirth

• Vaginal deliveries

• Menopause

• Pelvic organ prolapse

• Chronic constipation

• Chronic coughing

• High-impact exercise

• Pelvic surgery

• Hysterectomy

• Aging

• Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction

• Neurological conditions

• Pressure management dysfunction

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Incontinence

Pelvic floor physiotherapy focuses on improving:

• Pelvic floor strength

• Pelvic floor coordination

• Bladder control strategies

• Pressure management

• Deep core function

• Breathing mechanics

• Bowel habits

• Functional movement patterns

Treatment is individualized and based on your symptoms, goals, and assessment findings.

What Happens During an Incontinence Assessment?

Your pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment may include:

• Detailed bladder and bowel history

• Review of symptoms and triggers

• Fluid intake and bladder irritant review

• Postural and movement assessment

• Breathing assessment

• Core assessment

• Pelvic floor assessment (optional and consent-based)

Internal pelvic floor examination is always optional.

Treatments May Include

Depending on your symptoms, treatment may include:

• Pelvic floor muscle retraining

• Bladder retraining

• Urge suppression techniques

• Pelvic floor relaxation/downtraining

• Pressure management strategies

• Deep core strengthening

• Diaphragmatic breathing

• Functional movement retraining

• Bowel management education

• Constipation management

• Lifestyle and bladder habit education

• Return-to-exercise guidance

What Are Bladder Irritants?

Some foods and drinks may irritate the bladder and worsen urgency or frequency symptoms.

Common bladder irritants include:

• Coffee

• Tea

• Caffeine

• Carbonated drinks

• Alcohol

• Artificial sweeteners

• Citrus

• Spicy foods

Not everyone is sensitive to the same irritants. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help identify patterns and bladder habits that may be contributing to symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is urinary leakage normal after having children?

Urinary leakage is common postpartum, but it is not considered “normal” or untreatable. Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help improve bladder control and pelvic support.

Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help urgency?

Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help improve urgency symptoms through bladder retraining, urge suppression strategies, breathing retraining, and nervous system regulation techniques.

Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help menopause-related bladder symptoms?

Yes. Hormonal changes during peri-menopause and menopause may contribute to bladder urgency, frequency, and leakage. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve support, coordination, and bladder control strategies.

How long does it take to see improvement?

This varies depending on the severity and duration of symptoms, contributing factors, and consistency with exercises and lifestyle modifications. Many people begin noticing improvements within several weeks.

Do I need an internal pelvic exam?

No. Internal assessment is optional and only performed with your informed consent.

Can constipation worsen bladder leakage?

Yes. Constipation and straining increase pressure on the pelvic floor and bladder, which may worsen leakage and prolapse symptoms.

Incontinence & Exercise

Many individuals avoid exercise due to bladder leakage.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help support:

• Return to running

• Weightlifting

• Fitness classes

• Walking

• Hiking

• Yoga

• Postpartum exercise

Treatment focuses on improving pressure management and pelvic floor support during movement.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Incontinence in Calgary & Okotoks

We provide pelvic floor physiotherapy for urinary and bowel incontinence in:

• Calgary

• Okotoks

• South Calgary

• Southwest Calgary

• Southeast Calgary

• Foothills region

Our goal is to help you improve pelvic floor function, reduce leakage, and return confidently to daily activities and exercise.

Book an Incontinence Assessment

If you are experiencing bladder leakage, urgency, bowel leakage, frequency, or pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor physiotherapy may help.

Book your pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment in Calgary or Okotoks today and take the next step toward improved bladder control, pelvic health, and confidence.