Post-bath incontinence (bathwater incontinence) can be managed with behavioral therapy

Introduction: We encountered six post-bath incontinence cases caused by bathwater entrapment in the vagina.

Case presentation: The age of onset was distributed from 16 to 78 (average 38) and five out of six patients were parous. Three patients developed post-bath incontinence immediately after vaginal delivery. One patient developed post-bath incontinence after beginning to bathe in a reclined position and another after undergoing transvaginal mesh surgery to treat prolapse. All patients showed dribbling incontinence without urgency limited to within 30 min after bathing. Patients were instructed to put a towel between their legs and apply abdominal pressure to evacuate the entrapped water. Additionally, they were advised to squat in the bathtub to prevent water entrapment. This simple behavioral therapy relieved symptoms.

Conclusion: The differential diagnosis of incontinence in women should include entrapped fluid incontinence such as bathwater incontinence, pool water incontinence, and vaginal reflux during micturition.