Incontinence: The Facts

Information for Individuals.

Do you or a loved one experience embarrassing or troublesome symptoms like leaking or dribbling urine or not being able to "hold it"? Statistics show you're not alone.

• A recent study found that 9% of U.S. men between the ages of 18-97 (about 9 million) have urinary incontinence¹.
• One study showed that in men over 60, 13% reported having an incontinent episode².

Urinary incontinence is not a disease or a normal consequence of aging, therefore, most cases can be cured or improved³. It is a symptom with many causes and is the medical term used to describe the condition of not being able to control the flow of urine from your body. It usually happens because the bladder sphincter is damaged or scarred and cannot squeeze or close off the urethra. This means urine can leak or flow freely from the bladder.

What type of incontinence do you have, and how severe is your situation? Take the Incontinence Quiz

1. Diokno, AC. Prevalence of UI in Community Dwelling Men: A cross sectional Nationwide Epidemiologic Survey. American Urological Association Meeting, May 2005. San Antonio. Poster 13.

2. Brocklehurst JC. Urinary incontinence in the community-- analysis of a MORI poll. BMJ.Mar 1993 27 v.306(6881) p.832-4.

3. Urinary Incontinence in Adults.  National Institutes of Health Consensus Statement. Oct 3-5. 1988