What Percentage of Adults Have Incontinence?: A Look at the Statistics

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 423 million people worldwide experience urinary incontinence, prompting a closer look at what percentage of adults have incontinence globally and in specific regions. This common condition is not a normal part of aging but affects a significant portion of the adult population, with its prevalence varying considerably based on factors like age and gender.

Quick Summary

Adult incontinence is a common but not normal health condition, affecting millions of adults worldwide. Its prevalence varies significantly by gender and increases with age. Urinary incontinence is more common in women, while fecal incontinence also impacts a notable percentage of the population, particularly older adults. Understanding the types and risk factors is crucial for proper management.

Key Points

High Global Prevalence: Over 423 million adults globally experience urinary incontinence (UI), with prevalence rates varying widely but commonly cited between 25-45% for women.
Significant Gender and Age Disparity: UI is about twice as common in women as in men, and the prevalence for both genders increases significantly with age.
Fecal Incontinence is Also Common: Approximately one in twelve adults globally has fecal incontinence (FI), with a prevalence of about 8.3% among non-institutionalized US adults.
Not a Normal Part of Aging: Despite being more common in older adults, incontinence is a treatable medical condition, not an inevitable consequence of getting older.
Multiple Types Exist: There are several types of incontinence, including stress, urge, mixed, overflow, and functional, each with different causes.
Risk Factors Are Often Modifiable: Major risk factors include obesity, smoking, and specific health conditions like diabetes, which can sometimes be addressed to reduce symptoms.
Embarrassment Limits Treatment: Many people with incontinence do not seek medical help due to embarrassment or misinformation, prolonging their condition and reducing quality of life.

Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in Adults

Urinary incontinence (UI), or the involuntary loss of urine, is a widespread condition, with prevalence rates that can differ based on methodology and study population. Some studies report prevalence rates ranging from 5% to 70%, with most estimates falling between 25% and 45% for women. A survey by Aeroflow Urology, focusing on the United States, provides more specific figures: 62% of women and 15.1% of men aged 20 and over experience UI. Overall, more than 25 million adults in the U.S. deal with some form of urinary incontinence.

The Impact of Age and Gender on Incontinence Rates

Incontinence affects women more frequently than men, a difference largely attributed to factors like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. However, the prevalence increases with age for both sexes. For instance, a study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018 found a high prevalence of UI among US women aged 20 and older, with rates increasing significantly with age. This is also reflected in men, with prevalence rates of UI increasing from around 5% in men aged 19-44 to over 32% in men aged 80 and older.

Notable statistics on age and gender:

In women aged 50–64 in the US, the prevalence of UI was reported to be around 43%, rising to 51% for those aged 65–80.
In men over 40, about 17% have experienced UI.
A higher prevalence of urge urinary incontinence is reported in older age groups for both men and women.

The Prevalence of Fecal Incontinence

While urinary incontinence is more widely discussed, fecal incontinence (FI), the involuntary loss of stool, is also a significant issue. A systematic review found a pooled global prevalence of FI of 8.0% among adults, with rates higher in older people and women. In the US, studies indicate a prevalence of around 8.3% among non-institutionalized adults, rising to 15.3% for those aged 70 and older. Like UI, FI is not an inevitable part of aging but can often be a treatable medical issue.

Understanding the Different Types of Incontinence

Incontinence is not a single condition but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. There are several main types of incontinence, which can sometimes occur in combination:

Stress Incontinence: Leakage of urine when pressure is exerted on the bladder, such as when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. This is the most prevalent form among younger women.
Urge Incontinence: A sudden, intense urge to urinate that is difficult to delay, resulting in involuntary leakage. Urgency can be associated with overactive bladder and is more common in older adults.
Mixed Incontinence: A combination of both stress and urge incontinence symptoms.
Overflow Incontinence: Frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn't empty completely.
Functional Incontinence: Leakage caused by physical or cognitive impairments that prevent a person from reaching the toilet in time.

Major Risk Factors Affecting Incontinence Rates

Numerous factors can increase the risk of developing incontinence. Some are non-modifiable, such as age and gender, while others are related to lifestyle and can be addressed. Key risk factors include:

Childbirth: Vaginal delivery can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and damage nerves, leading to stress incontinence.
Menopause: The drop in estrogen levels after menopause can weaken urethral tissues, contributing to incontinence.
Obesity: Excess weight increases pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, weakening them over time.
Smoking: Chronic coughing associated with smoking puts consistent strain on the pelvic floor, and smoking is considered a risk factor for UI.
Neurological Disorders: Conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or a stroke can interfere with the nerve signals that control bladder function.
Chronic Illnesses: Diabetes and other chronic conditions can increase the risk of incontinence.

How the Stigma of Incontinence Impacts Treatment

Despite being a treatable condition, many people with incontinence do not seek medical help. Research indicates that embarrassment, thinking incontinence is a normal part of aging, or simply not seeing it as a health problem are common reasons for avoiding the doctor. For example, one study found that only one-third of older women with incontinence had talked to a doctor about it. This reluctance can lead to years of living with a manageable condition and suffering a reduced quality of life. Healthcare providers and individuals alike need to understand that incontinence is a medical condition that can and should be treated.

Comparing Types of Urinary Incontinence


Feature	Stress Incontinence	Urge Incontinence	Mixed Incontinence
Mechanism	Weak pelvic floor muscles or sphincter.	Overactive bladder muscles causing sudden, intense urges.	Combination of weakened muscles and overactive bladder.
Triggers	Coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercise, lifting heavy objects.	Strong, sudden urge to urinate, often without warning.	Both physical stress and sudden urges to urinate.
Commonality	Most common subtype in younger women.	Incidence increases with age for both genders.	Approximately 20-30% of chronic incontinence cases.
Contributing Factors	Childbirth, weight gain, smoking.	Neurological disorders, aging, diabetes.	Presence of contributing factors for both Stress and Urge types.

Conclusion: Incontinence Is Common, but Not Normal

In summary, the percentage of adults with incontinence is significant and varies depending on the type and population studied. Urinary incontinence affects a substantial number of adults globally, with a higher prevalence in women and older individuals. Fecal incontinence, while less common than UI, also impacts millions of people. While millions of adults experience this condition, it is crucial to recognize that it is not a normal or inevitable part of the aging process and that effective treatments exist. The social stigma associated with incontinence often prevents individuals from seeking help, but increased awareness of the causes, risk factors, and available treatments is key to improving quality of life for those affected. Individuals experiencing incontinence should consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and to discuss management options.

For more in-depth information and resources on incontinence, visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) website.(https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems/definition-facts)

Frequently Asked Questions

No, incontinence is not a normal part of aging. While it is more common in older adults, it is a medical condition that can often be managed and treated effectively.

The most common type of incontinence depends on age and gender. For instance, stress urinary incontinence is typically the most prevalent in younger women, while urge incontinence becomes more frequent in older adults.

Yes, statistics differ for urinary and fecal incontinence. Urinary incontinence is more widespread, affecting a larger percentage of the adult population, while fecal incontinence affects a smaller but still significant portion, approximately 8% globally.

Gender significantly affects incontinence prevalence, with urinary incontinence occurring roughly twice as often in women than in men due to factors like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Fecal incontinence is also more prevalent in women.

Many people do not seek help for incontinence due to embarrassment or the misconception that it is a normal part of aging. This stigma often leads to a delayed diagnosis and treatment, impacting their quality of life.

Key risk factors include age, gender, pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, smoking, neurological disorders, and chronic illnesses like diabetes.

Yes, most cases of incontinence are treatable or at least manageable. Treatment options can range from behavioral therapies and pelvic floor exercises to medication and, in some cases, surgery.