Treatment of mixed urinary incontinence

Mixed urinary incontinence means having both stress incontinence (leaking when you cough or exercise) and urge incontinence (sudden, strong urges to pee). This can make treatment more complicated. 

The drug treatments for mixed incontinence can be a combination of medications used for stress incontinence and urge incontinence, because mixed incontinence means both types of symptoms happen.

• Read more about treatment options for stress incontinence here.
• Read more about treatment options for urge incontinence here. 

Surgery may be an option if exercises, medications, and lifestyle changes don’t help. The type of surgery depends on which problem is worse.

• Read more about treatment options for stress incontinence here.
• Read more about treatment options for urge incontinence here. 

Questions to ask your doctor about treating mixed urinary incontinence:

• Do I have more stress incontinence (leaking when I cough or exercise) or urgency incontinence (sudden, strong urges to pee)?
• Do I need any tests to find out what’s causing my symptoms?
• Which medicine do you think is best for me, and why?
• Will this medicine help with both types of incontinence (leaks from coughing and sudden urges) or just one?
• What if this medicine doesn’t work? What else can I try?
• What types of surgery could help my incontinence?
• How do you decide which surgery is best for me?
• What are the risks and benefits of surgery?
• Will surgery fix both types of incontinence, or will I still need other treatments?
• How successful is surgery for my type of incontinence?

This chapter contains general information about treatment options for mixed urinary incontinence. If you have any specific questions about your own medical situation you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. No website or leaflet can replace a personal conversation with your doctor.

Last updated: February 2025