What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is loss of control of the bladder, a balloon-like organ that stores urine. It is a symptom, not a disease in itself, and can indicate some underlying medical condition.

Incontinence is a problem of the urinary system, which involves the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The kidneys remove waste and water from the blood to produce urine. The muscular, tube-like ureters move urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine is stored in the bladder until it flows out of the body through a tube connected to the bottom of the bladder called the urethra. A ring of muscles called the urinary sphincter surrounds the urethra and opens and closes to allow urine to pass or hold it in, respectively.

Urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder contracts when it should not or fails to contract properly, the sphincter does not close properly or does not remain closed when subjected to pressure, or when the urethra is obstructed. All of these processes allow urine to leak.

How common is urinary incontinence?

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 26 million Americans experience incontinence, nearly 80 percent of whom are women. It is common among pregnant women and older adults but can occur at any age. Among women ages 18 to 45, an estimated 19 percent have urine control problems. More than 60 percent of women and 45 percent of men in nursing homes experience urinary incontinence. It is important to note that, although it is more common in older adults, incontinence is not considered a normal part of the aging process.