Can’t control when you’ve got to go?

Most of us have worried about making it to the bathroom in time, but few people expect to have that fear play out in front of a global audience.

Yet that’s exactly what happened to Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk, who recently made headlines after experiencing bowel incontinence during a competition. While her experience unfolded in an unusually public way, it’s sparked widespread discussion about a condition many people are embarrassed to talk about. Experts say bladder and bowel control problems are much more common than many people realize.

If you’ve ever felt a sudden urge to use the bathroom or find yourself planning your day around restroom access, you’re far from alone.

“Countless patients have sought help for these conditions that, understandably, cause so much shame, embarrassment and emotional distress,” says Dr. Joaquin Estrada, a colorectal surgeon at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. “What I tell each and every single one of them is that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Thanks to advancements in medicine, patients can regain control of their bodies.”

The first step to regaining control is education. Dr. Estrada shares a few things you need to know about incontinence:

Types or urinary incontinence

There are different types of urinary incontinence. The most common types include:

• Stress incontinence: The most common type of urinary incontinence among all women in which stress to the bladder, such as laughing, coughing or sneezing, can cause urine loss.
• Urge incontinence: The most common type of urinary incontinence among menopausal women and patients with a neurologic problem in which urine loss is caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder.
• Overactive bladder: Another type of bladder issue that occurs mostly in women and causes them to suddenly need to urinate.

Incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors

Causes are as diverse as the people who live with the conditions. Factors that can increase your likelihood of developing incontinence include advanced age, dietary triggers, a weakened or damaged pelvic floor, diarrhea or constipation, pregnancy and childbirth, pelvic organ prolapse, previous surgery or trauma.

Treatment options for urinary and bowel incontinence

While there is no definitive way to prevent incontinence, there are steps you can take to decrease your risk. In fact, there are several comprehensive treatment options that can help you regain control of your bladder and bowel. They include everything from conservative approaches, such as dietary changes and medications, to more innovative approaches like minimally invasive nerve stimulation.

The good news: More than 80% of people with incontinence can improve their symptoms with treatment, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“People tend to keep these symptoms to themselves because they are embarrassed to talk about it,” Dr. Estrada says. “To anyone who is experiencing incontinence, I strongly urge you to find a doctor whom you trust to learn more about the condition and explore treatment options.”

Are you trying to find a doctor? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.