Being a woman can be awesome—but it can also really suck sometimes. One of those times is when it comes to urinary incontinence, which occurs at twice the rate in women as in men. And while we may think about incontinence as being exclusive to the realm of the elderly, the truth is that women’s incontinence affects about one in three of us—and that includes young women, too.
So whether you’re affected yourself, or you know other people who are, it’s worth reading up on women’s incontinence to understand this phenomenon a bit better. We hope this fact sheet bones you up on the basics, but click through some of the links for more detailed resources about women’s incontinence.
WHO is affected by women’s incontinence?
About 25 million adults in the United States have urinary incontinence, and about 80 percent of those are women. Between the ages of 18 and 44, about a quarter of women experience incontinence. There isn’t much information about racial or socioeconomic demographics (or influences, for that matter), but we do know that women’s incontinence occurs more often in women who are pregnant or have had children, are overweight, or are postmenopausal. One study found that major depression or a BMI over 30 was strongly correlated with UI in women.
WHAT is women’s incontinence, exactly?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leaking of urine; this includes both little dribbles, which might occur when you laugh or sneeze, and seriously uncontrollable gushes. There are two main types of urinary incontinence, both of which are very common in women.
The first, stress UI, occurs when pressure is placed on the bladder, and the muscles that hold the urethra shut aren’t strong enough to do their job. For instance, laughing, running, or lifting something heavy might create that pressure. The weight and position of a baby during pregnancy can also contribute to stress UI.
The second type of incontinence in women is called urge UI, and this occurs when there’s a miscommunication between the brain and the bladder. Normally, the bladder communicates to the brain that it needs to empty when it’s getting pretty full. In urge UI, it communicates this message far too often. So you often feel a very strong urge to pee when you don’t really need to—but sometimes the urge is so strong you don’t make it to a bathroom in time.
WHEN does women’s incontinence start? Does it end?
For many women, incontinence starts during pregnancy. Not only is there a whole new entity in the body pressing on the bladder, but hormones are loosening the pelvic floor muscles to prepare for childbirth. And while having more elastic muscles down there makes for a better birthing experience, it also means that those muscles aren’t always able to shut the urethra quite as tightly as they need to.
Women’s incontinence often extends into (or starts during) the postpartum period as well. Some women experience incontinence for a few months after giving birth, while for other women, the incontinence never really goes away.
Of course, some women also experience incontinence unrelated to pregnancy. Many women begin to see incontinence symptoms as they get older, especially around menopause, as the pelvic muscles naturally loosen. For others, there may be no obviously identifiable reason.
WHERE can I seek help for women’s incontinence?
It may sound obvious, but talk to your doctor! The truth is that many women don’t talk to their doctors about incontinence—maybe because it seems embarrassing or they don’t want to acknowledge that it’s a real problem. But trust us, your OB-GYN or your primary care doctor are old pros at dealing with women’s incontinence, and they certainly won’t judge you for it. And admitting it’s a problem out loud can be tough, but it can also be the thing that makes it easier to manage. In fact, they’ll probably bring up solutions that will have you living a more comfortable life in no time.
A doctor will most likely talk you through exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor and, in some cases, might refer to you a pelvic floor therapist or recommend surgery.
WHY is women’s incontinence so much more common than UI in men?
We can blame it all on hormones and babies. Pregnancy is such a major contributor to women’s incontinence because it really stretches things out and places a lot of strain on the body. It’s by design, but often, the body isn’t quite the same afterward. And female hormones that are necessary for the body to do its job—whether in pregnancy or in menopause—have the unfortunate side effect of loosening the very muscles we need to keep incontinence in check. The body contains multitudes! What’s more, differences in the shape and arrangement of the pelvic region and urinary tract make women more susceptible to UTIs and stressors that contribute to incontinence.
HOW can I deal with women’s incontinence if it happens to me?
First, know that you’re not alone! Remember that one in three women are dealing with the same thing, so don’t be ashamed to talk about it! Next, learn about women’s incontinence. Read up on the causes and treatment options, so you’ll know what to expect and feel empowered to take matters into your own hands. And talk to a doctor about women’s incontinence (you’ll feel so relieved when you do!).
Finally, there are tons of great products out there specially designed to help with women’s incontinence. From incontinence pads and liners (which are slightly different than period pads and do a better job with urine) to leak-proof underwear to tampon-like bladder supports, there’s plenty to choose from to help keep you feeling fresh and confident as you go about your day-to-day. Find what works for you; there’s no reason to let a little incontinence stop you from living your best life!