Prevalence of urinary incontinence

The prevalence of urinary incontinence is estimated to be around 5% in the general population¹. This prevalence is much higher in people aged over 65: 49 to 77% of people hospitalized or living in a medico-social establishment would be affected by the disease.².

The prevalence is logically set to rise, as the proportion of people over 65 will increase markedly over the coming decades. It is therefore important to do everything possible to prevent, recognize and treat it.

Cost of urinary incontinence

In France, the overall cost of urinary incontinence is estimated at 4,5 billion euros. This cost would be comparable to those of conditions such as osteoarthritis or pneumonia³.

Stress urinary incontinence

In France, nearly 3 million women of all ages are affected by urinary incontinence problems.

1 in 5 women suffers fromstress urinary incontinence, with a maximum peak between 55 and 60 years.

Almost 10% of young nulliparous women (i.e. who have never given birth) are affected, but this figure can rise to 30% when they are very athletic⁴. These figures are probably underestimated because it is a fairly taboo subject: women are often reluctant to talk about it with their therapist, especially since they are young.⁵.

The prevalence of leaks during exercise in athletic women varies between 0% for golf and 80% for the trampoline. It is therefore very dependent on Type of activity : physical exercises that cause repeated jumps (trampoline, gymnastics, dance, athletics) add additional pressure on the perineum that can be multiplied by 10.

Overactive bladder

Overactive bladder is manifested by frequent urination (between 7 and 20 times a day and night), which may be accompanied by urine leaks due to the urge to urinate.

The prevalence of this condition is estimated to be around 17% of the population but would be more marked after the age of 65. Warning: approximately 67% of people with overactive bladder do not experience urinary incontinence (this is called overactive dry bladder)⁶.

Pregnancy and urinary incontinence

About 6 in 10 pregnant women experience “pressing urges” that are difficult to delay. In 1 to 2 in 10 cases, these “emergencies” also result in a urinary leak⁷. from the 2nd^st trimester, 3 to 4 in 10 pregnant women have “stress” urinary incontinence (that is, playing sports, lifting a heavy load, or just laughing)⁸…

To remedy this, be aware that 7 antenatal sessions of 45 minutes, individuals or groups, are covered by the Health Insurance.

And after the birth? In the days following childbirth, 12% of women having given birth for the first time complain of urine leakage⁹.

Urine production and urination

Normal diuresis, i.e. the volume of urine produced by the kidneys, is considered to be included between 0,8 and 1,5 L per 24 hours. Thanks to its elastic power, the bladder can contain up to 0,6 L on average.

From 0,3 L, however, the urge to urinate feels. The bladder may continue to fill as the need to urinate is done more and more pressing, but continence is always ensured by voluntary engagement. The need can become urgent (around 400 ml) then painful (around 600 ml). The normal frequency of urination is about 4 to 6 times a day.

Kegel Exercises

The exercices by Kegel are intended to strengthen the perineum and are indicated in cases of stress urinary incontinence. They must be done regularly for several weeks to give a beneficial result. 40% to 75% of women who use it note an improvement in their urinary control in the following weeks.

Urinary incontinence, isolation and depression

A study showed that among 3 employed women aged 364 to 18 with severe urinary incontinence, 60% had to change type of work¹ because of this handicap.

Incontinent people often experience anxiety, which translates into a certain isolation. For fear of bad smells, of being publicly embarrassed in the event of an accident, incontinent people tend to to fall back on themselves. 

According to a study carried out in Canada, 15,5% of incontinent women suffer from trough¹⁰. This rate rises to 30% among women between the ages of 18 and 44 and contrasts with the depression rate of 9,2% among continent women. 

Incontinence in children

Parents often think that children should be clean before entering school, i.e. around 3 years old, but the reality is quite different as the stability of bladder control develops. up to the age of 5.

There is therefore no need to worry if a child cannot hold back before this age: his urinary system may not yet be mature. Urinary incontinence can therefore not affect children under 5 years old.

Thus, at the age of 3, 84% of girls and 53% of boys have acquired daytime cleanliness. A year later, these figures reach 98% and 88% respectively¹¹.

On the other hand, nocturnal urinary incontinence would concern 10 to 20% of 5-year-olds. The prevalence then decreases gradually over the years to reach 1% of children aged 15 years.