About Incontinence

Challenges of Incontinence | Incontinence Myths and Truths | What is Urinary Incontinence? | Types of Urinary Incontinence | Urinary Incontinence Management Options | What is Fecal Incontinence?

If you or someone you know is incontinent, you are not alone.  It is estimated that over 25 million individuals in the US experience incontinence.  People are living longer with chronic diseases. The effects of these conditions coupled with medication side effects are factors in the increase in incontinence.

How common is urinary incontinence?

Women

• Women are two times more likely to be incontinent than men.
• 30-40% of post-menopausal women live with incontinence.
• 26% of women of reproductive age experience incontinence on occasion.

Men

• 22% of men over 65 experience incontinence.
• 2% of men under 65 experience incontinence.

Children

• 10% percent of 5-year-olds, 5% of 10-year-olds, and 1% of 18-year-olds experience episodes of incontinence.
• Urinary Incontinence is twice as common in boys as in girls.
• After age 5, nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) is more common than day wetting.

Information Resources:
American Foundation for Urologic Diseases: www.auafoundation.org
National Association for Continence:  www.nafc.org
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: www.niddk.nih.gov
National Women's Health Information Center: www.womenshealth.gov
Simon Foundation for Continence: www.simonfoundation.org