It may take several years for these people to be taken care of. However, it is time to lift the veil on this pathology on the way to becoming a real public health issue and a real economic and societal problem.

Indeed, according to a study published in 2005, the cost of treating urinary incontinence represented 2% of the health budget in the USA and Europe. This figure is probably underestimated which will tend to increase given the age pyramid and if awareness, information and prevention campaigns are not carried out.

Article written by Dr Henry, urological surgeon at the Private Hospital of Antony (Paris)

Incontinence would actually affect millions of women around the world and no longer be confined to the elderly. There are many numbers on the issue.

There are many definitions of urinary incontinence and thus great variability in the reported figures.

In France, the number of incontinent people varies between 3 and 7 million people depending on the definition that will be used. In 1981, the International Continence Society (ICS) defined urinary incontinence as “the condition in which the involuntary loss of urine is a social and hygienic problem and is objectively demonstrable”.

In general, the prevalence of urinary incontinence increases with age.

Thus, starting from the ICS definition, a survey in Scandinavia in 1993 found that the prevalence rate was 12% in women aged 20-29, 25% in women aged 60-69. years and 32% in women over 80. These figures show that the phenomenon is not isolated and that a large part of women is directly concerned.