If you pay attention to the commercials on TV for urinary incontinence (UI) products, you might think that UI is a condition that only affects "mature" women. Whether you see a gray-haired woman promoting adult diapers or an active grandmother discussing drugs for UI, you start to get the idea that UI and aging go together.

But UI isn't just a symptom of menopause or aging - it can be caused by a number of different factors, and affect women of any age. UI doesn't just happen to baby boomers, it also happens to women with babies. Childbirth can tear and stretch muscles in the pelvic floor, causing pelvic floor weakness and urinary leakage.

Lifestyle factors can also cause younger women to experience UI. Younger women are at risk for UI if they are:

Overweight: being overweight by even 7-10% can double the chances of UI

Caffeine Drinkers: caffeine is a bladder irritant that can cause urine to leak unexpectedly

Constipated: straining or bearing down on a regular basis weakens the pelvic floor muscles

Involved in Competitive Sports: such as marathon running, triathlons and gymnastics

Smokers: constant coughing puts pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles

Ladies, don't be fooled by the commercials you see on TV. No matter what your age, if you start leaking urine unexpectedly, it is a sign that your pelvic floor muscles are not as healthy as they could be. Get help now!

Learn whether you have stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, or even pelvic organ prolapse. Discover how Kegels, lifestyle modifications, and other treatment options can help with your UI symptoms. The good news is that the sooner you start treating your UI, the better your chances are of experiencing complete cure.