Calendar May 02, 2014
  • Urinary Incontinence is a very common problem affecting up to 6 million people in the United Kingdom according to the NHS and up to 200 million people worldwide (World Health Organization Calls First International Consultation on Incontinence. Press Release WHO/49, 1 July 1998)
  • Incontinence is not normal at any age and is not a direct result of the ageing process.
  • Incontinence is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition. If you experience Incontinence then it is important to consult a Health Professional in order to find out the cause and treat it if possible.
  • Incontinence may often be helped by simple, low cost, procedures that do not require surgery, drugs or lengthy treatment.
  • Women are 5 times more likely to develop urinary incontinence then men.
  • Half the female population will experience urinary incontinence at some time in their lives.
  • Only one if five women affected seek help for incontinence issues.
  • 6% of women between 15 to 44 experience continence issues.
  • Over 10% of men over 65 have urinary incontinence to some degree.
  • In 80 to 90% of cases, treatment can improve the condition.
  • The World Health Organisation reported that incontinence is a largely preventable and treatable condition and that it's "certainly not an inevitable consequence of ageing," adding that "the most typical reaction exhibited by patients when they are diagnosed with poor bladder control was not fear nor disbelief, but relief." (World Health Organization Calls First International Consultation on Incontinence. Press Release WHO/49, 1 July 1998)
  • It is likely that actual incidence of urinary incontinence is higher than the numbers reported as many people never report their condition.

    • Some more facts and statistics can be found on our Incontinence Statistics page.