Consultations are generally offered in French: please confirm with the clinic (579 305-0344). The French version of this site prevails.
Health education · Pelvic healthPrevention and overall health
A few drops when you cough, a sudden urge that is hard to hold, or the worry of not reaching the toilet in time can affect your activities and your confidence.
Urinary leakage is worth talking about. It is not an unavoidable part of aging, and several approaches can help reduce it. This page is intended for adults.
Understanding
Urinary incontinence means an involuntary loss of urine. It can range from a few drops to larger leaks.8
The circumstances in which it happens give useful clues for the assessment.
| Type of incontinence | How it can show up |
|---|---|
| Stress | Leakage when you cough, sneeze, laugh, jump or exercise.8 |
| Urge (urgency) | A sudden urge that is hard to hold, followed by leakage before you reach the toilet.8 |
| Mixed | A combination of stress leakage and leakage linked to sudden urges.8 |
These descriptions help you understand the symptoms, but they are not enough to make a diagnosis.
Other forms exist. Leakage can occur when an overfilled bladder does not empty well, or when pain, weakness or cognitive difficulties make it hard to reach the toilet in time.2,7
The pelvic floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues at the bottom of the pelvis. It supports the bladder and rectum, and the uterus in people who have one. The way it works helps control urine.5
These muscles need to be able to contract and relax.5
A pelvic floor can be:
Excess tension can come with pelvic pain, difficulty urinating or discomfort during sex.5
The labels on these diagrams are in French.
Doing more contractions is therefore not always the right answer. An assessment helps tailor the advice to your situation.
Causes
Several factors can contribute to the symptoms.
Not all leakage is due only to a lack of muscle strength. Finding the cause helps choose the right treatment.
Assessment
Depending on the situation, a physical exam, a urine test or other tests may be offered. Not every patient needs the same tests.1,7
Your health professional may ask about:
For a few days, write down what you drink, your trips to the toilet, sudden urges and leaks.2 Also bring your list of medications to the appointment.
Solutions
The choice depends on the type of incontinence, how severe it is, the treatments already tried and your preferences.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be advised to:2,3
Bladder retraining may also be offered to gradually work on urinary habits and on managing sudden urges.2
A physiotherapist trained in pelvic floor rehabilitation can assess how the muscles work and suggest a personalized program.4
Depending on your needs, the program may work on strength, endurance, coordination or relaxation.8
Depending on the cause and the results of the assessment, medication, a pessary for some people, a specialist referral or a procedure may be offered.3
Sharply cutting back on water is not something to do routinely. More concentrated urine can irritate the bladder. Advice on fluids must take your health into account.2
For stress urinary incontinence in women, Canadian guidelines recommend a supervised pelvic floor muscle training program of about three months as first-line treatment.3 Progress requires regular practice.
Do not train by regularly stopping your urine stream. This can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection.2
When to seek care
You do not need to wait until leakage becomes severe to talk about it.
Seek care promptly if you have burning when you urinate, difficulty urinating or an ongoing feeling that your bladder is not emptying completely.6
Go to the emergency department if you have:6,7
A new loss of bladder or bowel control together with numbness or loss of sensation in the genital or perineal area or in the legs also needs immediate assessment.7
If in doubt, call Info-Santé 811, option 1, for guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Leakage can occur after a prostate procedure, for example. An assessment helps find the cause.1
No. Incontinence means an involuntary loss of urine. Frequent or sudden urges can occur without any leakage.
Urinary leakage can be discussed simply, without embarrassment. To request an assessment and discuss your symptoms, contact the Clinique IPS du Palais in Saint-Hyacinthe.
Phone: 579 305-0344
References consulted on October 31, 2026.
This page is intended for adults. It provides general information and does not replace a personalized assessment. Published on October 31, 2026.
