How common is Urinary Incontinence?

Who and How many People Share this Condition?

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The causes of Urinary Incontinence vary, making the people who have this condition numerous and diverse. Urinary Incontinence is a condition in which your body involuntary or accidentally leaks urine. Urinary Incontinence can be uncomfortable on a physical and emotional level. Many people with this condition find themselves embarrassed and suffer in silence. Those with Urinary Incontinence may even hesitate to speak to a doctor, and continue to have these uncomfortable symptoms when they could have sought treatment. Because not that many people talk about Urinary Incontinence, it may come as a surprise to know that this condition is incredibly common. More common than you would ever suspect! There’s a good chance you know more than one person who suffers from Urinary Incontinence.

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Urinary Incontinence (UI) occurs in people of all ages, genders, shapes and sizes. From children to teenagers, to adulthood, to the elderly, people all over the world have experience the loss of bladder control at least once in their life. Statistics show that if you have poor health, your overall risk for obtaining Urinary Incontinence increases. Diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and smoking are highly correlated with this loss of bladder control. Obesity increases the risk of urinary incontinence because of the abnormal amount of pressure put on the bladder.

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UI is more common in women, especially Stress Incontinence, due to pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, because these experiences put pressure and or can traumatize the mechanism of the urinary tract. While Urinary Incontinence is more prevalent in women, many men still experience the same condition.

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Men who have enlarged prostates, prostate cancer, or prostate treatment can experience Urinary Incontinence, because these conditions directly affect the urinary tract. And even though Urinary Incontinence is found to be lower in men, the likelihood for men to experience severe incontinence after the age of 70 is higher than in women.

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Even though older men, and older people in general, are more likely to experience incontinence, that does not mean it is a normal part of aging. Urinary Incontinence is found in older people because of other health issues that occur in older age (like arthritis and stroke),which in turn can cause Bowel and or Urinary Incontinence.

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So many people of all ages experience Urinary Incontinence. Celebrities you may recognize are quite vocal about their Incontinence experiences, and not afraid to address the issue in public. Some of these celebrities include:

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Helena Bonham Carter (actress)

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Jane Badler (actress)

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Katy Perry (pop star)

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Kris Kardashian Jenner (socialite)

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Marie Osmond (singer, actor)

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Michael Landon (actor)

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P Diddy aka Sean Combs (rapper)

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Samuel L. Jackson (actor)

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Sarah Silverman (comedian)

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Sheryl Underwood (USA Talk Show Host)

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Stephen King (author)

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Suzanne Somers (actress)

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Vince Vaughn (actor)

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Whoopie Goldberg (actress)

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Urinary Incontinence is an incredibly common issue experienced by people of all ages and genders, all over the world. Presently, over 33 million people in North America alone experience different forms of Urinary Incontinence. That means a quarter to a third of Americans share this condition. Again, while it’s not indicator or an inevitability in your aging body, the rates of Urinary Incontinence heighten in people over the age of 65.

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Because Urinary Incontinence is so incredibly common, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, people should talk more about it, so they can share their experiences and find better, personalized solutions. Many have found disposable adult diapers, guards, liners etc. to help immensely in maintaining an active lifestyle with urinary incontinence. There are treatments. There are solutions. Talking to a doctor about these symptoms that so many people int he world share, can only make life easier.