Double Incontinence: What it Means and How to Manage it

Double incontinence, also known as dual incontinence, is a condition in which you experience both urinary and faecal incontinence at the same time.

Here at Jude, we're passionate about breaking the taboos surrounding incontinence. After all, this condition affects millions of women around the world and is quite common in older adults.

Just because you suffer from dual incontinence doesn't mean you need to live a sedentary lifestyle and hide away from the world. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this exhaustive form of incontinence and explore the most effective management techniques available.

A Closer Look at Double Incontinence

Let's take a closer look at the symptoms and causes of double incontinence so you can gain a better understanding of this condition.

Symptoms of double incontinence

You may have double incontinence if you experience the following symptoms:

• Sudden, uncontrollable urges to go to the toilet

• Leaking faeces when you pass wind

• Both faecal and urinary incontinence (i.e. you leak urine and faeces)

• Interrupted sleep due to frequent trips to the bathroom

• Regular diarrhoea and/or constipation

• Anxiety and depression over your symptoms

These symptoms can be scary, frustrating, and embarrassing. They can also take a toll on both your physical and mental health, so it's advisable to address them as soon as possible. The longer you leave them, the harder they may be to treat.

Causes of double incontinence

The causes of double incontinence can be complicated; in most cases, there may be multiple factors at play. It is best to see your doctor to learn what may be causing your symptoms However, these are some of the most common causes of double incontinence:

• Low oestrogen levels: The hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause can result in the thinning of the urethra lining, which can lead to urinary incontinence and loss of bladder control.

• Nerve or muscle damage: Conditions like diabetes and multiple sclerosis, which result in nerve damage, could be the reason behind your incontinence

• Obesity: If you're overweight, this extra weight puts pressure on your bladder and bowels, which can contribute to double incontinence.

• Pregnancy and childbirth: The abdominal damage caused by pregnancy and childbirth can sometimes lead to double incontinence.

• Prolonged constipation: Periods of prolonged constipation can put excess pressure on the bladder and damage the bowels.

• Physical disability: Those with limited mobility may find it difficult to get to a bathroom in time to relieve themselves. This is termed functional incontinence.

• Ageing: While double incontinence can affect people of all ages, it is far more common in those who are 65 and older.

9 Ways to Manage Your Double Incontinence Symptoms

While double incontinence can be a serious problem, there are many ways in which you can manage this condition and live a relatively normal life. Let's look at some of the most effective management techniques.

1. Do pelvic floor exercises

Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles through simple exercises can help you gain better control over your bladder and bowel movements. It is best done under the supervision of a pelvic floor physiotherapist who can guide you through the movements and ensure you have a personalised plan.

There are plenty of beginner-friendly exercises to choose from, most of which involve contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles while holding different positions. Most people need to do pelvic floor exercises regularly to see good results.

2. Avoid bladder and bowel irritants

Did you know that there are certain foods and drinks that can irritate your bladder and bowels, which results in increased symptoms and a higher chance of leakage? If you want to minimise your symptoms, try to avoid the following:

• Alcohol

• Spicy foods

• Carbonated drinks

• Citrus fruits

• Caffeine (tea and coffee)

You don't necessarily need to fully remove the abovementioned foods and drinks from your diet. Just try to limit your intake and ensure you eat healthy, balanced meals. Each person is different, so try to keep a food diary to determine your 'trigger' foods.

3. Take bladder support supplements

Jude's bladder support supplements are filled with phytoestrogens and other natural ingredients that can help you gain control over your bladder in just 12 weeks. These supplements are designed to help you sleep through the night, relieve your urinary urgency, and ensure you experience fewer leaks.

They have been tested in a randomised control trial and 95% of women who completed the 12 weeks wanted to continue taking the supplement. Bear in mind the supplement is for bladder leaks only so it will not be helpful for faecal incontinence and as with any supplements you must check with your GP to ensure they are suitable for you in the context of your medical history.

4. Look into incontinence products

If you regularly experience urine leakage, you may want to look into purchasing leak-proof underwear and incontinence pads. These products give you the confidence to go about your day without the fear of urine leaks holding you back.

Our leak-proof underwear can hold up to 8 teaspoons of urine, and our incontinence pads are ideal for medium leakage and gushes.

5. Maintain a healthy weight

There is a direct correlation between those living with overweight and obesity and people who suffer from urinary and faecal incontinence symptoms.

You can maintain a healthy weight by eating a nutritious diet and the right-sized meals for your body, as well as regular exercise. If you are battling to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, you should schedule an appointment with your general practitioner, as you could have an underlying issue that's causing your weight gain.

6. Increase your fibre intake

Increasing your fibre intake can help ensure your stools are more solid and reduce the chance of faecal leakage. You can increase your fibre intake by eating more:

• Whole grains

• Fruit

• Vegetables

• Nuts

• Seeds

Avoid overly processed foods and try to eat as naturally as possible. When making any changes to your diet, ensure you do things gradually as sudden changes can cause worsening of symptoms.

7. Take care of your mental wellbeing

Did you know that stress and anxiety can lead to increased incontinence symptoms? By taking care of your mental health and prioritising relaxation as part of your everyday life, you can help relieve your incontinence symptoms.

Living with double incontinence can also be incredibly stressful and frustrating. Enjoy much-needed downtime by going on a walk, reading a book, or taking a candle-lit bath. If you need more support, consider talking therapy or discussing medication with your GP.

8. Check your medications

Are you currently taking any vitamins or medications? If so, you may want to ensure that these medications aren't worsening your symptoms in any way. Speak to your GP about the possible side effects of your current medications or supplements.

Diuretics, antipsychotics, calcium channel blockers, and other medications can potentially worsen incontinence symptoms.

9. Surgical solutions

If you have tried all the abovementioned lifestyle changes and management techniques and still suffer from severe double incontinence symptoms, your doctor may suggest that you could be a candidate for surgery. Some of the most common surgical options include:

• Sling surgery

• Artificial anal sphincter

• Sacral nerve stimulation

• Colostomy

• Antegrade colonic enema

Remember that surgery is usually a last resort, and you should speak to your general practitioner or specialist about any potential complications before agreeing to surgery.

FAQs

What are the other types of incontinence?

The other types of incontinence include:

• Stress incontinence: Urine leakage that's usually preceded by physical actions like sneezing, coughing, or laughing.

• Urge incontinence: Urine leakage that's preceded by an uncontrollable urge to pee.

• Mixed incontinence: A combination of both stress incontinence and urge urinary incontinence.

• Functional incontinence: Caused by barriers and difficulties getting to the toilet, commonly experienced by those with mobility issues.

• Overflow incontinence: Caused by too much urine in the bladder. There is usually a problem with the signals from the brain to the bladder.

• Bowel incontinence: When a person is unable to control bowel movements, resulting in faecal leakage.

Are there any ways to avoid double incontinence?

You can avoid developing double incontinence by regularly performing pelvic floor exercises, avoiding constipation and maintaining a healthy weight. Make sure you're drinking enough water and getting enough fibre each day.

Even if you do all of the above, there is still a chance you may develop double incontinence. This is because urinary and faecal incontinence can be caused by life events like ageing, menopause, pregnancy, childbirth, and abdominal trauma.

When should I see a doctor for double incontinence?

You should schedule an appointment with your general practitioner as soon as you notice signs of incontinence episodes. Your GP will be able to provide you with a diagnosis, professional advice, and effective treatment options.

How is double incontinence diagnosed?

In most cases, your GP will ask you about your medical history as well as your symptoms. You may need to undergo a physical exam to help determine the causes and keep a diary that details how often you experience faecal and urine leakage.

Final Thoughts

Living with double incontinence can feel debilitating at times, but there is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed.

With the right management techniques and lifestyle changes, you can live a happy and fulfilled life despite your symptoms. Over time, you can even gain better bowel and bladder control.

Here at Jude, we are proud to provide helpful resources about women's health issues, including pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and overactive bladder. We also offer bladder control supplements and specialised incontinence products, including leak-proof underwear and incontinence pads.