What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the accidental or unwanted leakage of urine from the bladder. It’s often described as a  ‘loss of bladder control’, a ‘leaky bladder’ or a ‘weak bladder’. Episodes of leakage – commonly called ‘accidents’ – can range from just a few drops or a dribble to a steady stream. In more severe cases, a person may completely empty their bladder involuntarily.

How Common Is Urinary Incontinence?

Incontinence is far more common than many people think, partly because it’s kept private. It affects more than twice as many women as men and becomes more frequent with age, especially for women.

• At least 1 in 3 adult women and 1 in 5 men will experience urinary incontinence at some point in their lives.
• Two years after childbirth, about 1 in 3 women report leaking small amounts of urine leakage during certain activities such as coughing, laughing, having sex, or exercising.
• As women approach menopause, they may experience heavier leakage – sometimes enough to soak through clothing.

Incontinence can vary from person to person and even from day to day. For some, it’s an occasional issue; for others, it significantly affects quality of life.

Can Urinary Incontinence Be Treated?

Yes – urinary incontinence is treatable, and in many cases, it can be cured.  It’s not a personal failure or something you should simply accept as ‘normal’ or inevitable.

Unfortunately, many women endure incontinence in silence. On average, women wait 3 years before seeking help, while men typically wait 6 months. Even when they do seek care, women are sometimes told it’s just a part of aging or that treatment won’t help.

This is simply not true. Effective treatments are available, ranging from lifestyle changes and pelvic floor therapy to medications and procedures. Open conversations and education are key.

To learn more, explore our related articles on:

• how the bladder works
• types and causes of incontinence
• what you can do, 
• what your doctor can do
• urinary incontinence in men
• living with urinary incontinence.

First published on embarrassingproblems.com
Reviewed and edited by Dr Diane K. Newman
Last updated: July 2025 by Dr Diane K. Newman