What condition is characterized as overflow incontinence due to urinary retention?

The condition characterized as overflow incontinence due to urinary retention is bladder atony. This occurs when the bladder's muscle (the detrusor) is unable to contract effectively, leading to incomplete emptying of the bladder. As a result, urine accumulates within the bladder beyond its capacity, causing involuntary leakage of urine, which is termed overflow incontinence.

In bladder atony, the detrusor muscle may be weak due to various factors, including nerve damage, prolonged bladder distension, or certain medical conditions. This ineffectiveness in the muscle's ability to contract results in significant retention of urine and can lead to embarrassment and hygiene issues, thus necessitating medical evaluation and intervention.

Other conditions listed may contribute to urinary symptoms but do not directly equate to overflow incontinence due to urinary retention in the same manner. For instance, detrusor overactivity involves involuntary contractions of the bladder, causing urgency and frequency, not retention. Prostate enlargement can indeed cause urinary retention and overflow incontinence in men, but it specifically refers to an obstructive process rather than a primary issue with the detrusor muscle's effectiveness. A urinary tract infection typically causes urgency and frequency as well, but it does not primarily lead to urinary retention as a