Stress Incontinence is defined as

• A. The inability to control voiding under physical stress
• B. Leakage of urine with a sudden urge to urinate
• C. Loss of urine only at night
• D. Leakage due to overdistention of bladder

Answer: (A)

Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks due to increased intra-abdominal pressure from physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting. It happens because the pelvic floor muscles and urethral sphincter are weakened or deficient, allowing urine to escape when pressure rises. This differs from urge incontinence, which is leakage tied to a sudden urge to void; nocturnal enuresis, which is leakage at night; and overflow incontinence, which stems from bladder overdistention. So leakage triggered by physical stress best defines this condition.