Leaking urine when you laugh, sneeze or lift something is not something "to live with". It is a symptom of weakened urethral support, and it is among the things women hide most — affecting daily life from avoiding exercise to avoiding travel and long events.
The important news is that success rates are very high, and many cases need no surgery at all.
Types of incontinence, and why the distinction matters
- Stress incontinence: leaking with laughing, sneezing and exertion — caused by weak support, and the most common type after childbirth.
- Urge incontinence: a sudden, unstoppable urge — caused by an overactive bladder and treated entirely differently.
- Mixed: both together, needing a dual plan.
The most common error is treating one type with the other's approach. Careful assessment is half the treatment.
Treatment options
Non-surgical: smart threads to support the urethra, collagen stimulation, and a pelvic floor rehabilitation programme. Suited to mild and moderate cases, with almost no downtime.
Surgical: bladder lift with anterior wall repair — the most effective option for moderate and advanced cases, with success rates above 90% in suitable patients.
Before your appointment
We usually ask you to keep a simple three-day diary: when leaks happen, how often, and what you were doing. That diary saves us time and gives a more accurate picture than any single examination.
Not sure this is the right procedure for you?
That is exactly what the assessment appointment settles. Forty-five minutes, conversation before examination, and two or three genuine options with their real differences — with no obligation.
This page is general medical information and does not replace a direct consultation. Results vary between individuals and are determined after clinical assessment.