urge incontinence

noun

: involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder when a sudden strong need to urinate is felt compare stress incontinence

Examples of urge incontinence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Your risk is also higher if a close family member has urinary incontinence, especially urge incontinence, per the Mayo Clinic. Jessica Migala, Health.com, 22 Feb. 2022 The two most common types of urinary incontinence include stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge incontinence (overactive bladder). Cori Ritchey, SELF, 16 Dec. 2022 For urge incontinence, your healthcare provider may recommend prescription medication, such as an estrogen cream applied directly to the urethral tissue, and/or Botox injections that relax your bladder muscles. Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2022 Summary The five major types of urinary incontinence are stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, and functional incontinence. Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urge incontinence was in 1980

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Cite this Entry

“Urge incontinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urge%20incontinence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

: involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder when a sudden strong need to urinate is felt
Urge incontinence, the involuntary urine loss associated with a strong sensation to void, is especially common among older women and is usually associated with detrusor instability or reduced bladder capacity.Kathryn L. Burgio et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association
compare stress incontinence
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