Which term describes the involuntary leakage of urine during physical activity?

The term that describes the involuntary leakage of urine during physical activity is stress incontinence. This condition occurs when physical movements or activities that put pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising, lead to unintentional urine loss. The mechanism involves increased intra-abdominal pressure that exceeds the pressure of the urethral closure, resulting in leakage.

Stress incontinence is often associated with factors such as weakened pelvic floor muscles, hormonal changes, or tissue damage that may occur due to childbirth or aging, which affect the support of the bladder neck. Understanding the specific triggers, like physical activity, helps determine the appropriate management and treatment strategies for individuals experiencing this form of incontinence.

Other types of incontinence mentioned, such as urge incontinence, occur when there is a sudden and intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage, typically unrelated to physical activity. Functional incontinence involves the inability to reach the bathroom in time due to physical or cognitive limitations, while overflow incontinence refers to overdistension of the bladder leading to leakage, typically due to an obstruction or poor bladder contractility. Each of these terms describes distinct conditions related to urinary incontinence, but only stress incontinence specifically pertains to leakage during exertion