Aetiology

Causes include:

• prostatic enlargement - bladder neck obstruction can occur in absence of signs of prostatism
• partial retention can be caused by rectal loading with faeces or bladder relaxing drugs
• mild bladder distension from obstruction may worsen detrusor instability and cause urge incontinence
• transurethral resection of prostate may weaken the bladder base, resulting in incontinence if there is severe detrusor instability
• diuretics can often be an iatrogenic cause of urinary incontinence in people who can't make it to the toilet very quickly
• dementia may result in the inability to get to the toilet or the inability to recognise that the bladder needs voiding.