Incontinence affects all ages, both sexes, and people of every social and economic level. It is also estimated that 15 to 30 percent of people over the age of 60 who live at home have incontinence. Women are twice as likely as men to have this condition. In addition, at least half of the 1.5 million Americans who reside in nursing homes are incontinent. The exact number of people with incontinence is not known, but the total number of people affected may be far greater than current estimates.
Incontinence is a symptom that can be caused by a wide variety of conditions.
Some of these causes, such as urinary tract or vaginal infections, medicine effects, or constipation, may be temporary. Other causes can be longer-lasting, even permanent. In some cases, more than one factor causes incontinence in a single individual. For millions of Americans, incontinence is not just a medical problem. It is a problem that also affects their emotional, psychological, and social well-being.