Urinary incontinence

Incontinence is leakage of urine from the bladder. It may be just a few drops or a dribble, or may be a stream.

How common is urinary incontinence?

People often keep the problem to themselves, so incontinence is much more common than most people realize. A few years ago the broadcaster Claire Rayner spoke on TV about incontinence; afterwards, the programme received more than 12,000 letters asking for more information. In fact, there are probably about 3 million people in Britain with this problem. In 1995, the Royal College of Physicians estimated that the following numbers of women were affected:

5–7% of women aged 15–44 years
8–15% of women aged 45–64 years
about 15% of women aged 65 years or over.

The true numbers are probably much higher. For example, in 1999, a survey in Sweden found that 1 in 8 women under the age of 30 has urinary incontinence. And when a family doctor in the UK sent a questionnaire to 1000 women in his practice aged 44–65 years, he found that 22% had moderate urinary incontinence and 9% had a severe problem. A huge study in the USA (the Nurses Health study) found that 34% of women aged 50–70 years leaked urine at least once a month (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2002;100:719–23).

Incontinence is not a personal failure, nor is it something that women should expect; it can often be cured. Sadly, most women simply put up with it and do not get the help they need. A survey in the USA found that 6 out of 10 women with urinary incontinence had never talked to their doctor about it (Journal of Women's Health 2003;12:687–98). Another survey showed that over 1.1 million women are using sanitary towels or panty liners just to cope with leakage of urine. A quarter of women with incontinence wait at least 5 years before going to their doctor.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by xy on 09/06/2010 at 10:30:30 am

I've a problem with urinary incontinence for past 2 to 3 years. so, i would like to know how could I overcome with this problem.Can you please advice or is there any medication to cure it then kindly suggest me. thanx

Posted by Optional on 01/06/2010 at 04:12:39 pm

63 year old diabetic starting to wet bed at night

Posted by Optional on 16/04/2010 at 08:03:28 pm

I was involved in the habit of mastubating since about 2 years ago...i would go for many weeks without doing it and sometimes i would mastubate a few times a day. However ive realised that i might have a urine dripping problem because after a pass urine and squeeze my penis a few drops of urine come out...This had never happened about two or three years ago. I would like to know 'Is it possible that my masturbation and looking at porn has caused this urine problem?' Secondly i would like to know how can i resolve the problem...

Posted by emma on 12/04/2010 at 12:01:39 pm

hi i am the young girl with oab and ic taking part in the show,after the show i went to see the consultant for the sacrel nerve implant but due to the state off my bladder and scarring i was told my only option would be to have my bladder removed and end up with a urostomy bag but also may havto have an hysterectomy depending what happens during surgery,so i could never have that chance to being a mommy,i always says there are always people worse off, i appeared on the show beacause people alway think incontinance effects older people or people that have had children,and that isnt always the case, so if ur worried please go and get it looked at dnt be embarrised there are people that will help, and if ive helped just one person by telling my story threw my suffering then im happy,thanku for listining to my story emmm

Posted by Sarah on 10/04/2010 at 02:39:07 pm

I have had uninary incontinence since having my first baby 7 years ago. Despite physio, and enough pelvic floor exercises to supply electricity to a whole town I still have it. I had an operation in Dec to insert a 'band' which hasn't worked. I've just been told I may have an overactive bladder but unlike the girl in this article I don't have cistitus. What's betting they have it wrong...again!

Posted by Optional on 15/03/2010 at 05:49:18 pm

i wet my bed most nights & im ashamed as my kids know but what can i do

Posted by Optional on 11/03/2010 at 02:08:02 am

would ms cause bladder incontenece

Posted by Anonymous on 04/12/2009 at 02:04:00 pm

i have to rinse after passing urine as if i dont i get extreme discomfort but not sore.i have recurinr vaginal discomfort as well and when really bad icannot shut legs or sit comfotably.Any help please

Posted by Paul on 11/10/2009 at 10:50:00 pm

Yet another article that ignores male incontinence.

Posted by Elizabeth S. on 28/08/2009 at 06:33:00 pm

Sometimes when my body goes through some sort of spasm, like if I sneeze too hard or if I am hit with something, my sphincters seem to be forced open momentarily and I end up wetting my underwear. This used to be easy to conceal, but recently a huge, heavy gym mat fell on top of me in Gym class and it happened then too and I was really lucky that my shorts were black, but what if it happens again? I can't tell my mom about this, I'd die of embarrassment. Will it go away?

Posted by Anonymous on 28/07/2009 at 11:53:00 am

I have a red/ itchy penis, I can't stop weeing and my wee is clear?what could this be

Posted by simone on 02/04/2009 at 10:56:00 am

I used to get cystitis when i used to be in school and not had it in years. I woke up a week ago with it and still have it, I went to my doctors on monday and he tested my urine and said it was fine! So why have I still got it? Please help

Posted by Seaside on 29/12/2008 at 10:19:00 am

I am about to give up and just try to live with urinary incontinence. I suddenly developed this problem after having abdominal surgery to open a blocked abdominal aorta. It has been two years now and I have been under the care of a urologist for the past year. I have had every test, scan, etc. known to man. Nothing. None of the prescription medications have been effective. Now my urogogist wants me to see a Dr. in another town about the possibility of having electrical stimulation of the nerves that control the bladder. Has anyone tried this?? Did it work??