If this support is insufficient due to any reason, the urethra would not close properly at times of increased abdominal pressure, allowing urine to pass involuntarily.

[citation needed] In women, pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, and menopause often contribute to stress incontinence by causing weakness to the pelvic floor or damaging the urethral sphincter, leading to its inadequate closure, and hence the leakage of urine.

In female high-level athletes, effort incontinence may occur in any sports involving abrupt repeated increases in intra-abdominal pressure that may exceed perineal floor resistance.

[12] This type of intervention can take a person months to learn and would not be a therapy option for people who are not physically or mentally able to control their voiding.

[medical citation needed] People have different preferences regarding the type of pad they use to stay dry when they have incontinence.

[13] For women, incontinence pads that are in the form of disposable pull-ups are generally preferred, however there is a higher cost associated with this type of solution.

[citation needed] Insertion of a sling through the vagina (rather than by opening the lower abdomen) is called intravaginal slingplasty (IVS).

Initially, the FDA approved implantable mesh devices due to their similarity to earlier prototypes, known as the 510(k) process.

[medical citation needed] Insertion of a sling through the vagina (rather than by opening the lower abdomen) is called intravaginal slingplasty (IVS).

[medical citation needed] The transobturator tape (TOT or Monarc) sling procedure aims to eliminate stress urinary incontinence by providing support under the urethra.

The minimally-invasive procedure eliminates retropubic needle passage and involves inserting a mesh tape under the urethra through three small incisions in the groin area.

Working through an incision in the vagina or abdomen, the surgeon raises the urethra and secures it with a string attached to muscle, ligament, or bone.

[medical citation needed] A variety of materials have been historically used to add bulk to the urethra and thereby increase outlet resistance.

[medical citation needed] Another procedure to treat incontinence is the use of an artificial urinary sphincter, more used in men than in women.

The device includes a pump implanted under the skin that, when pressed by the patient, loosens the cuff, allowing for free urination.