Stress Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine during physical activities such as coughing, laughing, sneezing and lifting. Stress is referred to the increase of physical pressure on the bladder.

There are two types of urinary stress incontinence: Hypermobility and Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency (ISD). Your doctor will tell you whether you have either one or both of these conditions.

Hypermobility - is present when the normal pelvic floor muscles can no longer provide the necessary support to the urethra and bladder neck. As a result of this the bladder neck moves downwards when pressure is applied which causes the involuntary loss of urine.

The condition is called Hypermobility because "hyper" means too much and "mobility" refers to movement, which is a common condition resulting from childbirth, hormonal changes and previous pelvic surgery.

Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency - even though the position of the urethra may not change the ability to stop the flow of urine is compromised, thus causing urine leakage. Some patients have a mixture of hypermobility and ISD.

The medical term refers to the weakening of the urethral sphincter muscles, because of this weakening the sphincter does not function normally, this is regardless of the position of the bladder or urethra.

Pelvic floor exercises can help with stress or mild incontinence.