Incontinence is the inability to control your urine (urinary incontinence) or bowels (fecal incontinence). Incontinence can range from the discomfort of slight losses of urine or feces to severe, frequent accidents. More than 13 million men and women in the United States experience urinary incontinence, and it is especially common in women over age 50. Fecal incontinence affects more than 5.5 million Americans and is also more likely in older women.
Loss of urine or bowel control can be distressing. Women who have incontinence may feel ashamed, embarrassed, or humiliated. Some avoid public settings out of fear they might have an accident. Most try to hide the problem as long as possible, so they withdraw from friends and family. But incontinence is not inevitable. Fortunately, there are many treatments available to improve urine or bowel control and make incontinence easier to manage.
Facts about Incontinence:
- 13 million Americans are incontinent; 11 million are women.
- 1 in 4 women ages 30-59 has experienced an episode of urinary incontinence.
- 50% or more of the elderly persons living at home or in long-term care facilities are incontinent.
- $16.4 billion is spent every year on incontinence-related care: $11.2 billion for community-based programs and at home, and $5.2 billion in long-term care facilities.
- $1.1 billion is spent every year on disposable products for adults.