Incontinence

“Incontinence is a common condition that,
with the right help,
can always be managed, treated and sometimes cured”.1

Umbrella

What may the Incontinence Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Bladder Incontinence
  • Bladder Weakness
  • Bowel Incontinence
  • Continence
  • Fecal Incontinence (FI)
  • Incontinence
  • Light Bladder Leakage (LBL)
  • Overactive Bladder (OAB)
  • Urinary Incontinence (UI)
  • Wind

Incontinence

What is incontinence?

DotS the definition of incontinence may vary. The Continence Foundation of Australia’s definition is:

“Incontinence describes any accidental or involuntary loss of:

  • Urine (wee) from the bladder – known as urinary incontinence
  • Faeces (poo) or flatus (wind) from the bowel – known as faecal incontinence”.2

Urinary Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence (UI)?

DotS the definition of UI may vary. In What Is Incontinence? What Is Urinary Incontinence? the World Federation for Incontinence and Pelvic Problem’s (WFIPP) Support In Continence explain:

“Urinary incontinence (UI) is the involuntary release of urine at the wrong time or the wrong place”.3

Faecal Incontinence

What is faecal incontinence (FI)?

DotS the definition of FI may vary. In What Is Incontinence? What Is Faecal Incontinence? WFIPP’s Support In Continence explain:

“Faecal incontinence (FI) is the involuntary loss of liquid or solid stools causing social or hygienic inconvenience. You might also hear it referred to bowel or stool incontinence”.4

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and increased difficulty with bladder and bowel control?

The Continence Foundation of Australia note:

“Menopause is a time of change in a woman’s life. One of the changes that many women notice is increased difficulty with bladder and bowel control”.5

Symptoms

What are the most common menopause bladder and bowel control symptoms?

In Menopause: Symptoms the Continence Foundation of Australia elaborate on:

Incontinence“During menopause, passing urine frequently and the urgent need to pass urine are the most common incontinence symptoms. Other symptoms include:

  • Leakage of urine with coughs, sneezes, or exercise
  • Leakage of urine on the way to the toilet
  • Getting up one or more times per night to pass urine (nocturia)
  • Frequent urinary tract infections
  • Rushing to the toilet to open bowels
  • Being unable to control wind
  • Constipation”.6

Treatment

What is it important to note about incontinence treatment?

In Therapies and Procedures: Managing Your Conditions the (United States) National Association for Continence note:

“If you’re under the impression that there isn’t much that can be done to treat incontinence, you’re in for a surprise. Treatments for incontinence have come a long way in recent years, and with so many tools and options available, there’s no reason to wait another second to get your condition under control. If you believe that you’re encountering an issue with either your bladder or bowel, don’t shrug it off. Talk to your physician. The sooner you do, the sooner you can start treating the cause of your issue. If you’ve already been to your physician or just want to get educated with possible treatment options before you go, this is a great place to start”.7

Helpline

May some Countries have a national continence/incontinence Helpline?

Yes. Your Country may have a Helpline similar to the Continence Foundation of Australia’s National Continence Helpline.

Toilet Maps, Cards or Apps

May some Countries have toilet maps, cards or Apps?

Yes. Your Country may have a toilet map similar to Australia’s National Public Toilet Map which in National Public Toilet Map: About the Toilet Map explain:

“The National Public Toilet Map shows the location of more than 23,000 public and private public facilities across Australia, including toilets, adult change and baby care. Information is provided about each toilet, such as location, accessibility details, opening hours and features like sharps disposal and showers”.8

Or your Country may have a card or App similar to the (United Kingdom) Bladder & Bowel Community’s (B&B) Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card.

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have incontinence?

If you think you have incontinence, it may be in your best interest to talk to your health care provider about this. The Continence Foundation of Australia encourage us to seek help and note:

“Incontinence is a common condition that, with the right help, can always be managed, treated and sometimes cured”.9

In What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Bladder Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health also encourage us to seek help and explain:

“You don’t have to put up with incontinence. You can ask your doctor for a referral to a continence nurse or pelvic floor physiotherapist to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Incontinence?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Incontinence?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 5 Healthy Habits
  2. About Continence: Prevention
  3. About Continence: Understanding Incontinence [+ Video]
  4. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy Explained
  5. Bbuk.org.uk [Bladder & Bowel UK]
  6. Bladder
  7. Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence)
  8. Bladder Control Problems In Women: How To Seek Treatment
  9. Bladder Control: Lifestyle Strategies Ease Problems
  10. Bladder Retraining and Keeping A Bladder Diary
  11. Bladder Issues Common for Women of All Ages [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network. Name Super/CG: Olivia Cardenas-Trowers, M.D./Gynecology/Mayo Clinic]
  12. Bladder Leakage: Fact Versus Fiction
  13. Bladderandbowel.org [Bladder & Bowel Community, United Kingdom]
  14. Bladderhealthuk.org [Bladder Health UK]
  15. Bowel Conditions & Symptoms
  16. Bowel Control Problems [Fecal Incontinence]
  17. Bowel Control Problems [Fecal Incontinence]: Diagnosis of Faecal Incontinence – How Do Doctors Diagnose Faecal Incontinence? Medical History: Stool Diary
  18. Bowel Control Problems [Fecal Incontinence]: Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Faecal Incontinence – What Should I Avoid Eating If I Have Faecal Incontinence? Keeping A Food Diary
  19. Bowel Health Conditions
  20. Bowel Incontinence
  21. Can UTI’s Cause Incontinence? And How They are Related As Women Age
  22. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  23. Continence Health: Bladder
  24. Continence Health: Bowel
  25. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  26. Continenceproductadvisor.org
  27. Cystitis
  28. FAQs
  29. FAQs
  30. FAQs: Urinary Incontinence
  31. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Botox Injections To Improve Bladder Control
  32. Fecal Incontinence
  33. Fecal Incontinence
  34. Fistulas
  35. Foods and Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder
  36. Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card
  37. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause [Video]
  38. Glossary
  39. Help & Information
  40. How Can I Get Help?
  41. How Can I Live With Incontinence?
  42. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage
  43. Incontinence Diaries: Using A Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
  44. International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
  45. Language Translations
  46. Life With Incontinence: Continence Products
  47. IncontinenceLinks of Interest
  48. Managing Your Condition
  49. Mayo Clinic Q and A: What Is An Overactive Bladder?
  50. Menopause Checklist Podcast: Episode 1: A Wee Problem
  51. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  52. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  53. Menopause: Symptoms
  54. Menopause: What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  55. NAFC Doctor Finder [United States]
  56. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]
  57. Nafc.org/diet-and-exercise/ [National Association for Continence, United States]: Diet and Exercise
  58. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Health Information
  59. No Leaks: Tools for Talking To Your Doctor About Bladder Leaks
  60. Other Languages: Incontinence Information In Other Languages
  61. Pelvic Floor Health Center
  62. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  63. Pelvicfloorfirst.org.au [Pelvic Floor First, Continence Foundation of Australia]
  64. Products
  65. Products To Treat Adult Incontinence
  66. Products for Women
  67. Stress Incontinence In Women
  68. Supportincontinence.org [Support In Continence: Your Path To A Better Life]
  69. Symptoms of Incontinence [Bowel Incontinence]
  70. Symptoms of Menopause
  71. Talking To Your Doctor About Incontinence
  72. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  73. Talking To Your Doctor About Incontinence [+ Video: Breaking Her Silence: Some Things Are Too Important To Hold In]
  74. Urinary Incontinence
  75. Urinary Incontinence
  76. Urinary Incontinence
  77. Urinary Incontinence
  78. Urinary Incontinence In Women
  79. Urinary Incontinence Overview
  80. Urinary Incontinence – Multiply Languages
  81. Urinary Incontinence: Incontinence Products
  82. Urinary Incontinence: Non-Surgical Treatment
  83. Urinary and Pelvic Floor Conditions
  84. Urogenital Problems
  85. Voices for PFD [Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  86. Voices of Incontinence: Incontinence and Relationships [+ Video: The Voices of Incontinence: Relationships]
  87. Video Series: Continence FAQs
  88. Video Series: Continence FAQs
  89. What Can You Do for An Overactive Bladder?
  90. What Is Nocturia?
  91. Where Do I Start?
  92. Why Do You Need To Pee As Soon As You Get Home?
  93. Women: Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Images + Video]
  94. Women’s Bladder and Bowel Health Conditions
  95. World Continence Week (16-22 June 2025)
  96. World Federation for Incontinence and Pelvic Problems

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. About Continence: Understanding Incontinence – What Is Incontinence? Last Updated: 28 May 2024. Last Reviewed: 23 March 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-continence/understanding-incontinence Accessed: 06 January 2025
  2. About Continence: Understanding Incontinence – What Is Incontinence? Last Updated: 248 May 2024. Last Reviewed: 23 March 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-continence/understanding-incontinence Accessed: 06 January 2025
  3. What Is Incontinence? What Is Urinary Incontinence? Support In Incontinence https://www.supportincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 06 January 2025
  4. What Is Incontinence? What Is Faecal Incontinence? Support In Incontinence https://www.supportincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 06 January 2025
  5. Menopause. Last Updated: 29 May 2024. Last Reviewed: 01 April 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/who-it-affects/women/menopause Accessed: 06 January 2025
  6. Menopause – Symptoms. Last Updated: 29 May 2024. Last Reviewed: 01 April 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/who-it-affects/women/menopause Accessed: 06 January 2025
  7. Therapies and Procedures: Managing Your Condition. National Association for Continence https://nafc.org/therapies-and-procedures/ Accessed: 06 January 2025
  8. National Public Toilet Map: About the Toilet Map. National Continence Program https://www.bladderandbowel.org/help-information/just-cant-wait-card/ Accessed: 06 January 2025
  9. About Continence: Understanding Incontinence – What Is Incontinence? Last Updated: 28 May 2024. Last Reviewed: 23 March 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-continence/understanding-incontinence Accessed: 06 January 2025
  10. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Bladder Health. Last Updated: 18 December 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 06 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 01 February 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 06 January 2025

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