Bladder weakness results in urinary incontinence, a problem for more than 13 million Americans, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Women experience bladder weakness more often than men and, says the university medical center, are more than twice as likely to develop problems. The good news is that many options exist to help strengthen the bladder and reduce the occurrence of incontinence. Determining the cause of bladder weakness can help doctors decide on appropriate therapies.
Urinary Tract Infection
The second most common type of infection in the body affects the urinary tract, leading to more than 8.3 million doctor visits annually, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Due to the bladder irritation that occurs with urinary tract infections, some people experience bladder weakness.
Aging
Aging bodies begin to break down in many ways. The muscles shrink and lose mass, the metabolic rate slows, bones become less dense and the heart loses its capacity to pump large quantities of blood quickly. An aging bladder muscle may become weak and lose its ability to store urine, according to MayoClinic.com. Maintaining good overall health will help reduce age-related bladder problems and decrease the risks of health complications that contribute to bladder weakness, such as blood vessel disease and obesity.
Prostate Problems
In men, prostate problems can arise when the prostate--a small gland that is part of the reproductive system--begins to enlarge, often after the age of 40, according to MayoClinic.com. If left untreated, bladder weakness may result.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is hard on a woman's body, particularly the bladder. The increased weight of the enlarging uterus and stress of a vaginal delivery can weaken the bladder muscles. In addition, MayoClinic.com reports that the changes occurring during childbirth can damage bladder nerves and supportive tissue, which may lead to a prolapsed pelvic floor.
Medications
Various drugs, such as muscle relaxants, heart medications and those used to control blood pressure, can contribute to bladder problems. If bladder weakness becomes a problem, people taking medications should talk to a doctor about other therapy options.
