Take Control

Urinary incontinence is defined by the International Continence Society (ICS) as an involuntary loss of urine that is objectively shown as a social and hygienic problem. Stress, urge and mixed (stress and urge incontinence combined) incontinence account for the majority of urinary incontinence suffered by women. Urinary incontinence is estimated to affect between 10-35 per cent of adults in the American population. The incidence is much higher, at least 50 per cent, in institutionalized patients.

TABLE 1. PREVALENCE OF URINARY INCONTINENCE (AMERICAN POPULATION)

Incontinence can be a significant problem for women of all ages and the prevalence does rise with age. However, it would be wrong to conclude, as many women and clinicians