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When we talk about continence health there may be medical words that are hard to understand. This glossary explains those words so you can feel clear and confident when you speak with health professionals or read medical or health information.
We also have a list of different continence health professionals and what they do.
What to do if you don’t understand something
If your health professional uses a word or term you don’t understand, you can ask them to:
- explain it in simple words
- write it down for you
- show you a picture on the internet
- explain how it affects your health and your treatment options.
You can also call the National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) to talk to a nurse continence specialist for free and confidential information, advice and support. They can also provide a wide range of continence-related resources and referrals to local services.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | XYZ
A
Absorbent
Something that can hold fluids, like a sponge soaks up water. When talking about continence products, absorbency is how much urine (wee) they hold.
After-dribble
When a small amount of urine (wee) leaks after a person has finished going to the toilet. It’s more common in men. This is also called post-micturition incontinence or post void.
Antidiarrhoeal agents
Medicines that slow down passing of faeces (poo) to reduce diarrhoea and help make faeces firmer eg loperamide.
Antimuscarinics (bladder relaxants)
Medicines that relax the bladder muscle to reduce urgency and leaking of urine (wee) eg oxybutynin, solifenacin.
Anus
The opening at the end of the digestive tract that allows faeces (poo) to pass out of the body. This is sometimes called the ‘back passage’.
Arthritis
A condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, making it hard to do daily activities.
B
Beta-3 agonists (urgency blockers)
Medicines that help the bladder hold more urine (wee) without feeling urgent eg mirabegron.
Biofeedback
A therapy using sensors to show how the bladder or pelvic floor muscles are working, so a person can learn to strengthen or relax them for better bladder and bowel control.
Bladder
An organ in the body that stores urine (wee). The bladder expands to store urine and then contracts to empty urine out from the body.
Bladder diary
A place to write down when and how much a person urinates (wees), drinks and the types of fluids, and any leaks or urges, to help understand bladder habits.
Bladder training
A timed toileting program to help prevent incontinence. It’s a way to help a person gain better bladder control. It helps to reduce the number of times a person goes to the toilet and can help to increase the amount of urine (wee) a person passes each time.
Botulinum toxin (botox)
Medicine injected into the bladder to reduce unwanted spasms that can cause leaks and urgency (overactivity).
Bowel
An organ in the body shaped like a long tube that starts at the stomach and ends at the anus (back passage). The bowel sends nutrients and fluid from the food that’s eaten to the different parts of the body through the blood stream and turns the waste into faeces (poo) to pass out of the body. This helps the body to stay healthy. The bowel is also called the intestine, colon or gut.
Bowel diary
A place to writes down when and how much faeces (poo) a person passes, and any leaks or urges, to help understand bowel habits.
Bowel incontinence
Accidental or involuntary loss of faeces (poo) or flatus (wind) from the bowel. This means a person may not be able to control when they pass wind or faeces (poo) and it sometimes leaks. Involuntary loss of faeces (poo) is also called faecal incontinence.
Bowel motion or bowel movement
Another term for passing faeces (poo).
Bristol Stool Chart
A tool used to classify faeces (poo) into seven groups, to see how healthy the bowel is and to help identify whether faeces is ‘normal’ or if it indicates constipation or diarrhoea.
Bulking agents for constipation
Powder, granules or tablets added to the diet to help the faeces (poo) hold more water which increases size and softness, making passing faeces easier and more regular eg psyllium.
C
Catheterisation
A medical procedure where a thin tube called a catheter is placed into the bladder to drain urine (wee).
Chronic heart failure
A long-term health condition where the heart cannot pump blood as well as it should, making it harder for the body to get enough oxygen and nutrients.
Coccyx
Tail bone at the bottom of the spine.
Colon
See ‘Bowel’
Commode
A bedside chair with an inbuilt toilet pan.
Condom drainage
See ‘Urinary sheath’
Constipation
When it’s hard or painful to pass faeces (poo), often because it’s hard, dry, or infrequent.
Continence
The ability to control the bladder and bowel. This means a person can control when they pass urine (wee) or faeces (poo).
Continence assessment
A check-up with a health professional to find out how well a person can control their bladder or bowel and what might be causing any problems. The assessment may include questions and tests, and information will be given on how to improve or manage continence better.
Continence pad
A soft, absorbent pad worn in underwear to help manage incontinence and keep a person dry. They’re designed to absorb much more fluid than period pads.
Continence products
Products people can use to manage incontinence, such as liners, pads, pants, chair pads, catheters etc.
Cystitis
When the bladder becomes inflamed (sore, red and swollen), usually caused by an infection. This can make passing urine (wee) painful or uncomfortable.
D
Daytime wetting
The accidental passing of urine (wee) during the day, usually because the bladder is not working well.
Defecate
Passing faeces (poo). Also known as using the bowel or a bowel motion or bowel movement.
Dehydration
When the body doesn’t get enough fluid which can make a person feel thirsty, tired or sick. Examples of fluids include water, tea, soup and yoghurt.
Dementia
Diseases that affect the brain, causing problems with memory, language, thinking and daily activities.
Diabetes
A health condition where the body can’t properly control blood sugar levels, usually because it doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it well. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar (glucose) and helps keep the blood sugar levels from getting too high or too low.
Diarrhoea
The passing of loose and watery faeces (poo) that happens quickly and often. Sometimes this is call ‘loose bowel motions’.
Digestion
The process by which the body breaks down food into parts such as nutrients that can be used for energy, growth and repair.
Digestive system
The part of the body that breaks down food, absorbs nutrients and removes waste.
Disability
People with disabilities have long‑term physical, mental, intellectual (learning) or sensory (eg seeing or hearing) conditions that, together with barriers in society, may limit their ability to take part in society equally.
Disability associated urinary incontinence
See ‘Functional incontinence’
Disposable
Products that are used once, then thrown away.
Diuretics (water tablets)
Medicines that increase production of urine (wee). These are usually prescribed for people with high blood pressure, heart problems or breathing disorders.
E
Ejaculation
A natural body process where fluid (called semen) is released from the penis. It happens when muscles in the reproductive system contract and push the fluid out, usually after the body reaches a certain level of physical arousal.
Enuresis
The accidental loss of urine (wee) while asleep. When it happens at night it’s called nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting).
Erectile dysfunction
When a person has trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual activity.
Erection
A natural body process where the penis becomes firm and rises because extra blood fills its tissues. This happens due to signals from the nervous system and isn’t always related to sexual feelings.
F
Faecal incontinence
See ‘Bowel incontinence’.
Faeces
Also known as bowel motions, bowel movements, stool, poop or poo. The waste product from digestion that passes out of the body via the bowel.
Fibre supplements
Products (often in tablet or powder form) that add bulk to the faeces (poo) and help keep faeces regular. They are similar to bulking agents.
Flatus or flatulence
The passing of wind from the bowel through the anus (back passage), often with a sound or smell. This is also called farting.
Frequency
The need to empty the bladder of urine (wee) often with only short times between toilet visits.
Functional incontinence
When a person’s bladder and/or bowel are working but they pass urine (wee) or faeces (poo) before they can get to the toilet. This may be due to a physical or a cognitive (thinking) problem. This is also known as disability associated urinary incontinence.
Funding schemes/government funding
The government helps people to pay for things like health products and services.
G
Gender
How a person identifies and the roles and behaviours society connects to being male, female or non-binary. It’s important for a health professional to know what gender a person was assigned at birth.
H
Haemorrhoids
Swollen blood veins around the anus (bottom). They may feel uncomfortable or painful and may sometimes bleed.
Hereditary or genetic
The way traits like eye colour or a health condition are passed from parents to their children.
Hormones
A group of chemicals that act like messengers in the body. They tell different parts of the body what to do eg when to grow and when to sleep.
Hygiene
Removing germs from the body, surfaces or the environment to prevent sickness eg by washing.
I
Incontinence
The accidental or involuntary loss of bladder control, bowel control or both. This may include the loss of urine (wee) from the bladder or faeces (poo) or flatus (wind) from the bowel. Sometimes this is called bladder or bowel leakage.
Intestine
See ‘Bowel’
K
Kegel exercises (kegels)
Now called pelvic floor muscle exercises.
Kidneys
Organs in the body that clean the blood and help remove waste and extra water by making urine (wee).
L
Laxatives
Medicines that help relieve constipation by making faeces (poo) softer or easier to pass.
Lifestyle
How a person lives and what they do each day, like eating, drinking, exercising and taking care of themselves.
Lifestyle changes
Small daily habits a person can change, like eating, exercising or sleeping, to improve health and wellbeing.
M
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
A disease where the body’s immune system damages the protective covering of nerves, causing problems with movement, vision and balance.
N
Nocturia
When a person wakes up often during the night because they need to pass urine (wee).
Nocturnal enuresis
The accidental or involuntary loss of urine (wee) while asleep at night because the person does not wake up when they need to urinate (do a wee). This is also called bedwetting.
O
Overactive bladder
Urgency (sudden need) to pass urine (wee) with or without the accidental or involuntary loss of urine (wee). A person might go to the toilet often but sometimes urine (wee) may leak before they get there.
Overflow incontinence
The accidental or involuntary loss of urine (wee) because the bladder is too full. This happens because the person can’t empty the bladder properly or at all and the urine (wee) leaks because it is too full to hold it in.
P
Parkinson’s disease
A brain condition that affects movement, thinking and memory due to the loss of nerve cells that produce dopamine. People often experience symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, slowness, and bowel and bladder problems.
Pelvic floor
A group of muscles and tissues inside the pelvis that support the bladder, bowel and reproductive (sex) organs.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises
Exercises that help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, bowel and pelvic organs. These exercises can help prevent and manage incontinence.
Pelvic floor muscles
Muscles that support sexual health and help to control when a person passes urine (wee) and faeces (poo).
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
Treatment guided by a physiotherapist that uses exercises and techniques to strengthen or relax the muscles that support the bladder, bowel and pelvic organs. This treatment can also help manage pelvic organ problems like incontinence or pelvic pain.
Pelvic organ prolapse (prolapse)
When one or more pelvic organs such as the uterus (womb), bladder or bowel drop down into the vagina. It may feel like heaviness, a bulge or dragging in the vagina.
Pelvis
The bony area below the lower belly that connects the legs.
Penis
The male sex organ. It hangs below the lower stomach, between the legs. The penis is used for sexual activity and for passing urine (wee).
Pessary
A small device placed inside the vagina to support pelvic organs and help treat problems like prolapse or incontinence.
Post-micturition incontinence
See ‘After-dribble’.
Pouch
A pad shaped like a small bag around the penis to collect leaking urine (wee). The pouch can be worn under the underwear.
Prostate
A gland in the male body that makes some of the seminal fluid needed for reproductive health. It can make it harder to pass urine (wee) if it becomes enlarged.
Q
Quality of life
How enjoyable and satisfying life feels. It’s about managing health so people can enjoy life even if some things are hard.
R
Rectum
The lower end of the bowel just above the anus (back passage). When faeces (poo) enters the rectum, there is an urge to go to the toilet.
Reusable
Products that can be washed and used more than once.
S
Severity
How serious or bad a problem is or how much the problem affects daily life.
Sex
Sex refers to physical body traits related to the male or female body. It can also refer to the act of sexual intercourse or intimacy.
Sexual function
How well the body works during sexual activity, including desire, arousal and response.
Soiling
When a person experiences faecal (poo) accidents eg in their underwear or outside the toilet. This is a type of bowel incontinence and often happens with children.
Sphincter
A ring-shaped muscle that opens and closes to control the flow of urine (wee) or faeces (poo). The internal sphincter works automatically, while the external sphincter is usually consciously controlled by the person.
Stool
Also known as faeces, bowel motions, bowel movements, poop or poo.
Stress incontinence
Small leaks of urine (wee) during activities that put pressure on the bladder eg during coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or exercising. This is different from emotional stress.
Stroke
When blood flow to part of the brain is reduced (eg through bleeding in the brain) or blocked, causing brain cells to die and leading to problems like weakness, trouble speaking, or loss of vision (sight).
Suppository
A small, solid medicine that is placed into the rectum, where it melts and releases the medicine into the body. It can help with the passing of faeces (poo).
U
Urethra
The tube that urine (wee) flows through to leave the body.
Urge incontinence
A sudden, strong need to pass urine (wee) that may lead to leaks before reaching the toilet.
Urgency
The strong need to pass urine (wee) or faeces (poo) quickly. This can happen during the day and at night, even if the bladder or bowel is not full.
Urinal, urine bottle or bedpan
A portable container used for collecting urine (wee), often by people who cannot easily get to a toilet.
Urinary catheter
A soft tube that drains urine (wee) from the bladder into a catheter drainage bag. A catheter bag is a small bag that collects urine from the body when someone is unable to empty their bladder on their own.
Urinary incontinence
The accidental or involuntary loss of urine (wee) from the bladder. This can range from occasional leaks during coughing, sneezing or exercise, to complete loss of bladder control.
Urinary retention
When the bladder may not fully empty or a person can’t pass urine (wee) at all. This can lead to overflow incontinence.
Urinary sheath or uridome
A continence aid for men. A sheath (condom) that fits over the penis and drainurine (wee) from the bladder into a drainage bag.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
An infection anywhere along the urinary tract including the bladder and kidneys.
Urine
A liquid made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder and passed out of the body via the urethra. It contains body waste products. It should be clear, pale yellow and have no odour. Urine is also known as wee or pee.
Urodynamics
A set of tests that measure how well the bladder and urethra store and release urine (wee).
V
Vagina
A muscular tube in women that connects the uterus to the outside of the body. It allows for menstruation (periods), childbirth and sexual activity.
Vaginal oestrogen (hormone treatment)
Medicine that is placed straight into the vagina to help treat symptoms of menopause. It may also help to improve bladder control.