Who's at risk?

Risk factors for urinary incontinence
The risk factors most commonly linked with urinary incontinence include:

• pregnancy (both pre- and post-natal women)
  
• younger women who have had children
  
• menopause
  
• obesity
  
• urinary tract infections
  
• constipation
  
• specific types of surgery such as prostatectomy (removal of all or part of the prostate) and hysterectomy (removal of all or part of the uterus and/or ovaries)
  
• reduced mobility preventing you from getting to or using the toilet
  
• neurological and musculoskeletal conditions such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis
  
• health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, heart conditions, respiratory conditions, and prostate problems, and
  
• some medications.
  

Stats and Facts

Urinary incontinence affects 200 million people worldwide.

• 1 in 4 women over the age of 18 experience episodes of leaking urine involuntarily.
  
• Urinary incontinence is twice as common in women as it is in men.
  
• Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause and aging are major reasons of the increased prevalence of incontinence in women as compared to men.
  
• Of the 25 million adult Americans suffering from some form of urinary incontinence, 75-80% of those are women.
  
• An estimated 60-70% of people affected by incontinence can be cured or better managed. (Continence Foundation of Australia).

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