1. Urinary Incontinence in Women Slideshow Pictures
2. Urinary Incontinence in Men Slideshow Pictures
3. Food & Drinks That Make You Gotta Go Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Sandip P. Vasavada, MD

Coauthor:

Raymond Rackley, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Incontinence is sometimes called a silent epidemic because people struggling with the condition often do not talk about it to others or their physicians. Researchers estimate that 13 million or more people in the United States alone are affected by incontinence.

• One in 10 people 65 years of age or older are estimated to experience bladder control problems.



• Approximately 15%-30% of elderly people living in their own homes have some type of incontinence.



• Approximately 40% of nursing home residents have incontinence.



• More women than men are affected by incontinence.

When untreated, people with continence may limit their activities outside of the home for fear of embarrassment. Subsequently, the condition can contribute to loneliness and depression caused by social isolation. When treated, symptoms of incontinence can be reduced or eliminated altogether:

• Approximately 90% of people with stress incontinence either improve significantly or are cured.



• Approximately 44% of people with urge incontinence are cured.

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