Double Incontinence – Causes and Solutions

Living with incontinence can be challenging. But double incontinence is particularly taxing. We understand this condition can affect you and your loved ones, but knowing the potential cause and solutions can make a substantial difference in your management plan and its effectiveness.

This article explains double incontinence, the most common causes and how to effectively manage your condition. Discover all you need to know about double incontinence with Attends.

What is double incontinence?

Double incontinence is where you have leakage of both faecal (bowel) and urinary incontinence. Incontinence occurs as a result of nerve or muscle dysfunction in the bladder and bowel, which results in loss of control of the flow of urine and the release of stool (faeces).

The approach and management of double incontinence will vary. Healthcare professionals will often ask which symptoms are the most bothersome to you so they can treat it.

Products offering minimal protection can be enough for those with light double incontinence. However, moderate to heavy double incontinence requires more robust products that provide heavy protection.

Double incontinence can feel embarrassing, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of, and there are many ways to manage the condition and regain your confidence.

Common causes of double incontinence

Neurological disorders – health conditions, like multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease that affect your coordination, control and brain can decrease your ability to control your bladder and bowels. Other health conditions can include Alzheimer’s disease, birth defects of the spinal cord, brain or spinal cord tumours, encephalitis and spinal cord injury.

Pelvic floor dysfunction – men and women can lose strength in their pelvic floor (the muscles controlling bladder and bowel movements). A weakened pelvic floor means it can be challenging to maintain bodily functions.

Bladder and bowel conditions – there are other conditions that can affect your bladder and bowel. For example, bowel conditions such as diverticular disease, irritable bowel disease and Crohn’s disease and urinary conditions such as an overactive bladder, urinary tract infections and kidney disease. If you’re severely constipated, your bowel can become overfull and press on your bladder, so neither the bowel or bladder can empty.

Prostate problems (in men) – some men develop double incontinence due to an enlarged prostate or after prostate surgery. Nerve damage, medications or ageing could be the cause.

Menopause (in women) – menopause can weaken women’s pelvic floor muscles, leading to an increased risk of double incontinence.

Lifestyle factors that influence double incontinence

In addition to medical conditions, several lifestyle factors can increase your risk of double incontinence.

These can include:

– Being overweight – your pelvic floor muscles are at an elevated risk of weakening the more overweight you are, which can cause double incontinence.

– Smoking – smoking cigarettes can cause nerve damage and affect blood flow to your pelvic region, which can make it harder to control your bladder and bowels.

– Being sedentary – lack of exercise can weaken your pelvic floor and potentially cause double incontinence.

– Drinking caffeine – caffeine is a bladder and bowel irritant, so drinking it can increase your risk of double incontinence if you have other incontinence factors.

The good news is that you can change many lifestyle factors to manage your risk of experiencing double incontinence.

Solutions for double incontinence

You can support and minimise double incontinence in many ways, and some solutions can be relatively simple – especially if you have mild double incontinence.

Well-balanced diet

Eating a well-balanced diet high in fibre is vital, particularly for your bowel health. Too little fibre can lead to constipation and hard stools, putting extra pressure on your bladder. The result is an increased risk of urinary incontinence. Similarly, stool build-up due to constipation can weaken your pelvic floor muscles and lead to faecal incontinence.

Caffeine

Avoiding irritants for both your bladder and bowel is also essential. Caffeine can make you feel the need to urinate or empty your bowels more often. Therefore, it can be problematic in people with double incontinence. Switching to decaf means you can still enjoy the taste of coffee or tea without risking incontinence.

Hydration

Not getting enough water can cause dehydration and constipation, which increases your risk of double incontinence. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, but be aware that drinking too much can elevate the chance of leaks if you have urinary incontinence.

Keeping hydrated can improve your bladder and bowel function. Speak with your doctor for advice on staying hydrated if you’re unsure about how much water to drink.

Regular exercise

Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight that may minimise your double incontinence symptoms. Always work within your limits, and do not push yourself too much, as you may do more harm than good. Check with your GP and nurse specialist before exercising.

You can also do specific pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and perform them more or less anywhere. Pelvic floor exercises involve squeezing, holding and releasing your pelvic floor muscles repeatedly for numerous repetitions. Check out this NHS guide for more information.

Pelvic floor exercises aren’t just for women. Men can perform pelvic floor exercises and reap the benefits of a stronger pelvic floor and decreased double incontinence symptoms.

Medical and emotional support

You must speak with your doctor or continence specialist if you’re experiencing double incontinence. They can provide dedicated care and support to meet needs.

You may want to seek emotional support for your double incontinence as well as speak with a healthcare professional. Examples include a support group, speaking with a trained counsellor or therapist or having open conversations with your loved ones.

Remember, you don’t need to deal with your double incontinence alone. Finding additional support can help empower you to manage your condition.

Potential treatments for double incontinence

Depending on the cause of your double incontinence, you might require medical treatments like medication, surgery and physiotherapy.

Medication and surgery may help if an underlying medical condition causes double incontinence. However, physical therapy may be beneficial if a weakened pelvic floor is the cause.

Knowing the suitable treatment for you will depend entirely on your needs, so make sure to speak to your doctor or continence specialist first.

Daily management tools for double incontinence

Learning to manage double incontinence daily is integral to your wellbeing. Daily management can differ as each person’s requirements will vary.

We recommend developing a regular toilet schedule to avoid getting caught off guard by unexpected urges and keeping yourself dry and clean for longer. Another tip is to use protective products specially designed for double incontinence.

At Attends, we offer many incontinence products you can combine for complete protection. For example, you can wear our Attends Contours-shaped pads with our Fixation pants. This two-piece system helps keep you dry from leaks and catches any unexpected urinary or faecal incontinence.

Alternatively, why not try a product like our Attends Pull-Ons for heavier double incontinence? This can offer robust, yet discreet, protection and is easy to change. Our All-in-one briefs are another option you can consider. With adjustable tabs for ultimate comfort, these absorbent briefs provide you with complete protection.

Knowing what works for you can take a bit of trial and error but it’s all about learning what suits your body and keeps you feeling comfortable and dry.

Find your double incontinence solution

Seeking advice from a continence specialist or their doctor is crucial if you or a loved one has double incontinence. They can determine their condition’s underlying cause and provide personalised treatment.

Using incontinence products is another way to help manage double incontinence. Our urinary and faecal incontinence products range at Attends supports different flows and anatomies.

Discover our incontinence product range – providing you with complete protection and support, no matter your incontinence type.