Incontinence

“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…”.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

Incontinence can range in severity from a small leak to 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 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 Incontinence Conditions From A – Z the (United States) National Association for Continence explain:

“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 explains:

“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:

“You should not ignore these problems because without help, they rarely go away and usually get worse over time. They can interfere with work, social activities, as well as sexual and personal relationships”.9

In What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Bladder Health the JH 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 – What Is Incontinence?
  4. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy Explained
  5. Bbuk.org.uk [Bladder & Bowel UK]
  6. Bladder & Bowel
  7. Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence)
  8. Bladder Control Problems In Women: Seek Treatment
  9. Bladder Control: Lifestyle Strategies Ease Problems
  10. Bladder Diary and Retraining
  11. Bladder Incontinence
  12. 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]
  13. Bladder Leakage: Fact Versus Fiction
  14. Bladderandbowel.org [Bladder & Bowel Community, United Kingdom]
  15. Bladderhealthuk.org [Bladder Health UK]
  16. Bowel Conditions & Symptoms
  17. Bowel Control Problems [Fecal Incontinence]
  18. Bowel Control Problems [Fecal Incontinence]: Diagnosis of Faecal Incontinence – How Do Doctors Diagnose Faecal Incontinence? Medical History: Stool Diary
  19. 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
  20. Bowel Incontinence
  21. Bowel Incontinence
  22. Bowel Incontinence
  23. Conditions A – Z
  24. Consumer Health: Treating Bladder Control Problems In Women
  25. Continence Health: Bladder
  26. Continence Health: Bowel
  27. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  28. Continencecentral.org [Products]
  29. Continenceproductadvisor.org
  30. Cystitis
  31. Do Your Pelvic Floor Exercises Daily
  32. FAQs
  33. FAQs
  34. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Botox Injections To Improve Bladder Control
  35. Fecal Incontinence
  36. Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment
  37. Female Products
  38. Fistula
  39. Foods and Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder [14 June 2023]
  40. Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card
  41. Glossary
  42. Help & Information
  43. How Can I Get Help?
  44. How Can I Live With Incontinence?
  45. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Incontinence [+ Video: Breaking Her Silence: Some Things Are Too Important To Hold In]
  46. Incontinence Conditions From A – Z
  47. Incontinence Diaries: Using A Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
  48. Incontinence – Lifting the Lid on Leakage
  49. International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
  50. Language Translations
  51. Life With Incontinence: Continence Products
  52. Links of Interest
  53. Managing Your Condition
  54. Mayo Clinic Q and A: What Is An Overactive Bladder?
  55. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Does Menopause Cause Urinary Leakage?
  56. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  57. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  58. Menopause: Symptoms
  59. Menopause: What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  60. NAFC Doctor Finder [United States]
  61. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]
  62. Nafc.org/diet-and-exercise/ [National Association for Continence, United States]: Diet and Exercise
  63. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Health Information
  64. Nocturia
  65. Other Languages: Incontinence Information In Other Languages
  66. Pelvic Floor Health Center
  67. Pelvic Floor Strength: Bladder Retraining
  68. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  69. Pelvicfloorfirst.org.au [Pelvic Floor First, Continence Foundation of Australia]
  70. Products
  71. Products To Treat Adult Incontinence
  72. Prolapse & Bladder Weakness
  73. Stress Urinary Incontinence In Women
  74. Supportincontinence.org [Support In Continence: Your Path To A Better Life]
  75. Symptoms of Incontinence [Bowel Incontinence]
  76. Symptoms of Menopause
  77. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  78. Tools for Talking To Your Doctor About Bladder Leaks
    Can't Hold It In?
  79. Understanding Incontinence [+ Video: What Is Incontinence?]
  80. Urinary Incontinence
  81. Urinary Incontinence
  82. Urinary Incontinence
  83. Urinary Incontinence
  84. Urinary Incontinence
  85. Urinary Incontinence In Women
  86. Urinary Incontinence Overview
  87. Urinary Incontinence – Multiply Languages
  88. Urinary Incontinence: Incontinence Products
  89. Urinary Incontinence: Non-Surgical Treatment
  90. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
  91. Urogenital Problems
  92. Video Series-2021: Female Urinary and Bladder Issues at Midlife
  93. Voices for PFD [Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  94. Voices of Incontinence: Incontinence and Relationships [+ Video: The Voices of Incontinence: Relationships]
  95. Watch Our FAQ Video Series [Continence NZ]
  96. What Can You Do for An Overactive Bladder?
  97. Where Do I Start?
  98. Women: Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Images + Video]
  99. Women’s Conditions
  100. World Federation for Incontinence and Pelvic Problems

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Bladder Health. Last Updated: 09 May 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 30 October 2023
  2. About Continence: Understanding Incontinence – What Is Incontinence? Last Updated: 06 July 2022. Last Reviewed: 23 March 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-continence/understanding-incontinence Accessed: 30 October 2023
  3. What Is Incontinence? What Is Urinary Incontinence? Support In Incontinence https://www.supportincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 30 October 2023
  4. What Is Incontinence? What Is Faecal Incontinence? Support In Incontinence https://www.supportincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence/ Accessed: 30 October 2023
  5. Menopause. Last Updated: 15 July 2021. Last Reviewed: 01 April 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/who-it-affects/women/menopause Accessed: 30 October 2023
  6. Menopause – Symptoms. Last Updated: 15 July 2021. Last Reviewed: 01 April 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/who-it-affects/women/menopause Accessed: 30 October 2023
  7. Therapies and Procedures: Managing Your Condition. National Association for Continence https://nafc.org/therapies-and-procedures/ Accessed: 30 October 2023
  8. Welcome To the National Public Toilet Map. National Continence Program https://www.bladderandbowel.org/help-information/just-cant-wait-card/ Accessed: 30 October 2023
  9. Menopause – Symptoms. Last Updated: 15 July 2021. Last Reviewed: 01 April 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/who-it-affects/women/menopause Accessed: 30 October 2023
  10. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Bladder Health. Last Updated: 09 May 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 30 October 2023
Topic Last Updated: 30 October 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 30 October 2023

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