What is the primary cause of urge incontinence?

The primary cause of urge incontinence is a hyperactive bladder, which is characterized by involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle (detrusor) that occur unpredictably and cause a sudden, intense urge to urinate. This condition leads to an inability to suppress these contractions, resulting in an urgent need to urinate and often leading to involuntary leakage of urine before reaching the bathroom.

A hyperactive bladder can be due to various factors, including age-related changes, neurological conditions, or irritants such as caffeine and alcohol, all of which can heighten the sensitivity of the bladder. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for effective management and treatment options for patients experiencing urge incontinence.

The other choices provided do not align with the primary causative factors associated with urge incontinence. Poor closure of the bladder relates more to stress incontinence, weak abdominal muscles can affect overall pelvic support but are not the direct cause of urge incontinence, and blockage of the urethra typically leads to a different type of urinary issue such as obstructive chronic urinary retention rather than urge incontinence.