Incontinence

Incontinence

“Incontinence is the accidental or involuntary loss
of bladder or bowel control. The bladder is
a part of the body that holds urine (wee). The bowel is…”.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. In About Incontinence: What Is Incontinence? Continence Health Australia’s (CHA) definition is:

“Incontinence is the accidental or involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control. The bladder is a part of the body that holds urine (wee). The bowel is a part of the body that produces faeces (or poo).

A loss of bladder or bowel control means a person may experience accidental loss of:

  • Urine (wee) – urinary incontinence
  • Faeces (poo) or flatus (wind) – bowel incontinence

Incontinence can range from small leaks during everyday activities such as coughing or lifting, to a complete loss of bladder or bowel control”.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 CHA 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 and Incontinence: Common Continence Symptoms During Menopause CHA elaborate on:

Incontinence“Common symptoms include:

  • Needing to pass urine (wee) often or urgently
  • Leaking urine (wee) on the way to the toilet
  • Leaking urine (wee) when you cough, sneeze, laugh, lift or exercise
  • Getting up more than once at night to pass urine (wee). This is called nocturia
  • Frequent urinary tract infections
  • Pelvic pain
  • Finding it hard to control passing faeces (poo) or flatus (wind)
  • Constipation.

These symptoms are common and can be treated to improve health and wellbeing”.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 CHA’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. CHA 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

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. About Continence
  2. About Incontinence: Bowel Incontinence
  3. About Incontinence: Preventing Incontinence?
  4. About Incontinence: Urinary Incontinence
  5. About Incontinence: What Is Incontinence?
  6. Bbuk.org.uk [Bladder & Bowel UK]
  7. Bladder Control Problems: How To Seek Treatment Incontinence
  8. Bladder Control: Lifestyle Strategies Ease Problems
  9. Bladder Diary
  10. Bladder Diary
  11. Bladder Health
  12. Bladder Leakage: How To Talk To Your Doctor
  13. Bladder Retraining and Keeping A Bladder Diary
  14. Bladderandbowel.org [Bladder & Bowel Community, United Kingdom]
  15. Bladderhealthuk.org [Bladder Health UK]
  16. Bowel Conditions
  17. Bowel Health Conditions
  18. Bowel Incontinence [+ Video]
  19. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  20. Continence.org.au [Continence Health Australia]
  21. Continenceproductadvisor.org [Continence Product Advisor]
  22. Diet and Exercise
  23. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Management
  24. FAQs
  25. FAQs
  26. FAQs: Urinary Incontinence
  27. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Botox Injections To Improve Bladder Control
  28. Fecal Incontinence
  29. Fecal Incontinence
  30. Fistulas
  31. Foods and Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder
  32. Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card
  33. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  34. Hormones and Urinary Symptoms In Women | Dr Louise Newson
  35. Glossary
  36. Help & Information
  37. How Can I Get Help?
  38. How Can I Live With Incontinence?
  39. How Smoking Contributes To Incontinence
  40. Incontinence Diaries: Using A Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
  41. International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
  42. Language Translations
  43. Life With Incontinence: Continence Products
  44. Links of Interest
  45. Managing Your Condition
  46. Mayo Clinic Q and A: What Is An Overactive Bladder?
  47. Menopause Checklist Podcast: Episode 1: A Wee Problem
  48. Menopause and Bladder and Bowel
  49. Menopause and Incontinence
  50. Menopause: What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  51. NAFC Doctor Finder [United States]
  52. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]
  53. Nafc.org/diet-and-exercise/ [National Association for Continence, United States]: Diet and Exercise
  54. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Health Information
  55. No Leaks: Tools for Talking To Your Doctor About Bladder Leaks
  56. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – It Is Not Just Incontinence – Common Bladder Problems Around Menopause
  57. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
  58. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Lifestyle, Diet, Exercise
  59. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  60. Other Languages: Incontinence Information In Other Languages
  61. Overactive Bladder
  62. Pelvic Floor Exercises for Women
  63. Pelvic Floor Health Center
  64. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  65. Pelvicfloorfirst.org.au [Pelvic Floor First, Continence Health Australia]
  66. Products
  67. Products To Treat Adult Incontinence
  68. Products for Women
  69. Stress Incontinence In Women
  70. Supportincontinence.org [Support In Incontinence, World Federation for Incontinence and Pelvic Problems]
  71. Symptoms of Incontinence [Bowel Incontinence]
  72. Talking To Your Doctor About Incontinence
  73. Urinary Incontinence
  74. Urinary Incontinence
  75. Urinary Incontinence
  76. Urinary Incontinence
  77. Urinary Incontinence In Women
  78. Urinary Incontinence Overview
  79. Urinary Incontinence – Multiply Languages
  80. Urinary Incontinence: About the Bladder
  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
  87. Video Series: Continence FAQs
  88. Video Series: Continence FAQs
  89. What Is Nocturia?
  90. Where Do I Start?
  91. Why Do You Need To Pee As Soon As You Get Home?
  92. Women: Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Images + Video]
  93. Women’s Bladder and Bowel Health Conditions
  94. World Continence Week 2026 [15-21 June 2026]
    Incontinence
  95. 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 Incontinence: What Is Incontinence? Continence Health Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-incontinence/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
  2. About Incontinence: What Is Incontinence? Continence Health Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-incontinence/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
  3. What Is Incontinence? What Is Urinary Incontinence? Support In Incontinence https://www.supportincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
  4. What Is Incontinence? What Is Faecal Incontinence? Support In Incontinence https://www.supportincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
  5. Menopause and Incontinence. Last Updated: 29 May 2024. Last Reviewed: 01 April 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-incontinence/womens-health/menopause-and-incontinence/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
  6. Menopause and Incontinence: Common Continence Symptoms During Menopause. Continence Health Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-incontinence/womens-health/menopause-and-incontinence/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
  7. Therapies and Procedures: Managing Your Condition. National Association for Continence https://nafc.org/therapies-and-procedures/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
  8. National Public Toilet Map: About the Toilet Map. National Continence Program https://www.bladderandbowel.org/help-information/just-cant-wait-card/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
  9. About Incontinence: What Is Incontinence? Continence Health Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-incontinence/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 16 June 2026
Topic Last Updated: 16 June 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 June 2026

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