Harvard Health Blog An emerging link between the urinary incontinence and urinary microbiome POSTED AUGUST 12, 2020, 10:30 AM Jeannine Miranne, MD, MS, Contributor Most people know that microorganisms live on our skin and the digestive tract. However, traditional thinking and medical teaching was that there was no such microbiome in the urinary tract. Many people may still believe that urine is sterile. A recent study found that women with urinary incontinence had different urinary microbiomes compared with continent women. These findings raise the question of whether differences in the urinary microbiome play a role in causing urinary incontinence, or are a consequence of these conditions. Learn more »

Get your copy of Better Bladder and Bowel Control Most people take bladder and bowel control for granted — until something goes wrong. An estimated 32 million Americans have incontinence, the unintended loss of urine or feces that is significant enough to make it difficult for them to maintain good hygiene and carry on ordinary social and work lives. The good news is that treatments are becoming more effective and less invasive. This Special Health Report, Better Bladder and Bowel Control, describes the causes of urinary and bowel incontinence, and treatments tailored to the specific cause.

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Better Bladder and Bowel Control Featured content: • Urinary incontinence • Evaluating urinary incontinence • Treating urinary incontinence • SPECIAL BONUS SECTION: Coping with urinary incontinence • Fecal incontinence •  ... and more! Click here to read more »