Incontinence is a women's health issue. Women make up 70% of all people who experience incontinence. In women incontinence is experienced by younger and older women becasue of the design of the pelvis - the pelvic floor muscle has to stretch across a wide outlet and has three tubes passing through it. These design features build the potential for pelvic floor muscle weakness. This goes some way to explain why 1/3 of women who have incontinence have not had a baby.
 
Pregnancy, childbirth and the number of babies a woman has increases her risk of developing incontinence. Being pregnant and having a baby puts pressure on the pelvic floor that results in it being weakened. Read more
 
Menopause is another point in a woman's life when incontinence can occur. At this time reducing levels of oestrogen (female hormone) plays a part in incontinence. The loss of oestrogen affects the bladder and the urethra (outlet tube) and the pelvic floor. The bladder is less stretchy and may become overactive causing the woman to experience urgency - needing to go to the toilet quickly to pass urine - and frequency - going to the toilet more than 6 times per day. The urethra lining dries out and it doesn't seal as well as it used to. Also the drying out weakens its defenses so bacteria can get into the bladder more easily. Finally the pelvic floor loses strength through the lack of oestrogen, the combination of these factors puts women at risk of incontinence. Read more
 
There is another spike of incontinence for women between 70-80 years. At this time it is more to do with chronic illness than being a woman. Read more
 
Healthy Bladder and Bowel Habits
Pelvic floor exercises for women
Constipation
The risk factors for incontinence
Where to get help