AgePage

National Institute on Aging

Urinary 

Incontinence

Sarah loves to spend time with her friends 

talking about grandchildren and visiting 

with neighbors. But lately she’s been having 

a big problem that keeps her from enjoying 

life. Because she can’t get to the bathroom 

in time, she’s starting to wet her pants. 

Sarah doesn’t know what’s happening, 

but the problem keeps her at home.

Sarah may have a problem with 

bladder control called urinary 

incontinence. While it may happen 

to anyone, urinary incontinence is 

more common in older 

people. Women 

are more likely 

than men to have 

incontinence. 

If this problem 

is happening to 

you, there is help. 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Urinary 

Incontinence

Sarah loves to spend time with her friends 

talking about grandchildren and visiting 

with neighbors. But lately she’s been having 

a big problem that keeps her from enjoying 

life. Because she can’t get to the bathroom 

in time, she’s starting to wet her pants. 

Sarah doesn’t know what’s happening, 

but the problem keeps her at home.

Sarah may have a problem with 

bladder control called urinary 

incontinence. While it may happen 

to anyone, urinary incontinence is 

more common in older 

people. Women 

are more likely 

than men to have 

incontinence. 

If this problem 

is happening to 

you, there is help. 

Incontinence can often be cured or 

controlled. Talk to your doctor about 

what you can do. 

Causes of Incontinence

Incontinence is often seen as part of 

aging. But it can occur for many other 

reasons. For example, a urinary tract 

infection, vaginal infection or irritation, 

constipation, and some medicines can 

cause bladder control problems that 

last a short time. When incontinence 

lasts longer, it may be due to:

F	 weak bladder muscles 

F	 overactive bladder muscles 

F	 damage to nerves that control the 

bladder from diseases such as 

multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s 

disease 

F	 diseases such as arthritis that may 

make it difficult to get to the 

bathroom in time

F	 blockage from an enlarged 

prostate in men

Bladder Control

The body stores urine in the bladder. 

During urination, muscles in the bladder 

tighten to move urine into a tube called 

the urethra. At the same time, the 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Urinary 

Incontinence

Sarah loves to spend time with her friends 

talking about grandchildren and visiting 

with neighbors. But lately she’s been having 

a big problem that keeps her from enjoying 

life. Because she can’t get to the bathroom 

in time, she’s starting to wet her pants. 

Sarah doesn’t know what’s happening, 

but the problem keeps her at home.

Sarah may have a problem with 

bladder control called urinary 

incontinence. While it may happen 

to anyone, urinary incontinence is 

more common in older 

people. Women 

are more likely 

than men to have 

incontinence. 

If this problem 

is happening to 

you, there is help. 

Incontinence can often be cured or 

controlled. Talk to your doctor about 

what you can do. 

Causes of Incontinence

Incontinence is often seen as part of 

aging. But it can occur for many other 

reasons. For example, a urinary tract 

infection, vaginal infection or irritation, 

constipation, and some medicines can 

cause bladder control problems that 

last a short time. When incontinence 

lasts longer, it may be due to:

F	 weak bladder muscles 

F	 overactive bladder muscles 

F	 damage to nerves that control the 

bladder from diseases such as 

multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s 

disease 

F	 diseases such as arthritis that may 

make it difficult to get to the 

bathroom in time

F	 blockage from an enlarged 

prostate in men

Bladder Control

The body stores urine in the bladder. 

During urination, muscles in the bladder 

tighten to move urine into a tube called 

the urethra. At the same time, the 
6 7 

weight, quitting smoking, avoiding 

alcohol, drinking less caffeine 

(found in coffee, tea, and many 

sodas), preventing constipation, 

and not lifting heavy objects.

Management

Besides bladder control training, 

you may want to talk to your doctor 

about other ways to help manage 

incontinence:

F	 Some drugs can help the bladder 

empty more fully during urination. 

Other drugs tighten muscles and 

can lessen leakage. Talk with your 

doctor about the benefits and side 

effects of using these medicines. 

F	 A doctor may inject a substance 

that thickens the area around the 

urethra to help close the bladder 

opening. This reduces stress 

incontinence in women. This 

treatment may have to be repeated. 

F	 Special devices for both men 

and women could help control 

incontinence. 

F	 Surgery can sometimes improve 

or cure incontinence if it’s caused 

by a change in the position of the 

F	 Timed voiding may help you 

control your bladder. In timed 

voiding, you urinate on a set 

schedule, for example, every hour. 

You can slowly extend the time 

between bathroom trips. When 

timed voiding is combined with 

biofeedback and pelvic muscle 

exercises, you may find it easier 

to control urge and overflow 

incontinence.

F	 Lifestyle changes that may help 

with incontinence include losing 

How To Do 

Kegel Exercises 

Kegel exercises help tighten your 

pelvic floor muscles. It’s easier 

to learn them when lying down. 

Locate the pelvic muscles by 

pretending to stop the flow of 

urine. Squeeze and hold these 

muscles for a count of 3, then 

relax them for a count of 3. Your 

goal is to try to do a set of 10, 

rest, and then do 2 more sets 

each day. Your doctor can give 

you more exact directions. 
6 7 

weight, quitting smoking, avoiding 

alcohol, drinking less caffeine 

(found in coffee, tea, and many 

sodas), preventing constipation, 

and not lifting heavy objects.

Management

Besides bladder control training, 

you may want to talk to your doctor 

about other ways to help manage 

incontinence:

F	 Some drugs can help the bladder 

empty more fully during urination. 

Other drugs tighten muscles and 

can lessen leakage. Talk with your 

doctor about the benefits and side 

effects of using these medicines. 

F	 A doctor may inject a substance 

that thickens the area around the 

urethra to help close the bladder 

opening. This reduces stress 

incontinence in women. This 

treatment may have to be repeated. 

F	 Special devices for both men 

and women could help control 

incontinence. 

F	 Surgery can sometimes improve 

or cure incontinence if it’s caused 

by a change in the position of the 

F	 Timed voiding may help you 

control your bladder. In timed 

voiding, you urinate on a set 

schedule, for example, every hour. 

You can slowly extend the time 

between bathroom trips. When 

timed voiding is combined with 

biofeedback and pelvic muscle 

exercises, you may find it easier 

to control urge and overflow 

incontinence.

F	 Lifestyle changes that may help 

with incontinence include losing 

How To Do 

Kegel Exercises 

Kegel exercises help tighten your 

pelvic floor muscles. It’s easier 

to learn them when lying down. 

Locate the pelvic muscles by 

pretending to stop the flow of 

urine. Squeeze and hold these 

muscles for a count of 3, then 

relax them for a count of 3. Your 

goal is to try to do a set of 10, 

rest, and then do 2 more sets 

each day. Your doctor can give 

you more exact directions. 
6 

F	 Timed voiding may help you 

control your bladder. In timed 

voiding, you urinate on a set 

schedule, for example, every hour. 

You can slowly extend the time 

between bathroom trips. When 

timed voiding is combined with 

biofeedback and pelvic muscle 

exercises, you may find it easier 

to control urge and overflow 

incontinence.

F	 Lifestyle changes that may help 

with incontinence include losing 

How To Do 

Kegel Exercises 

Kegel exercises help tighten your 

pelvic floor muscles. It’s easier 

to learn them when lying down. 

Locate the pelvic muscles by 

pretending to stop the flow of 

urine. Squeeze and hold these 

muscles for a count of 3, then 

relax them for a count of 3. Your 

goal is to try to do a set of 10, 

rest, and then do 2 more sets 

each day. Your doctor can give 

you more exact directions.