What type of incontinence is characterized by involuntary leakage of urine associated with an urgency to void?

Urge incontinence is characterized by an involuntary loss of urine that occurs when there is a strong and sudden urge to void. This condition arises from an overactive bladder, where the detrusor muscle contracts involuntarily, leading to an urgent need to urinate. Patients often find themselves unable to reach a bathroom in time due to this intense urge, resulting in leakage. It is important to distinguish urge incontinence from other types, as the defining symptom is the urgency that precedes involuntary leakage.

In contrast, mixed incontinence combines different types of incontinence, stress incontinence primarily involves leakage during activities that increase abdominal pressure (such as coughing or exercising), and overflow incontinence is marked by an inability to fully empty the bladder, leading to dribbling. Each type has distinct underlying mechanisms, but the hallmark of urge incontinence is that compelling urgency that prompts the involuntary leakage.