Supported by Medtronic

Empowering patients by highlighting the treatment pathways for UI & FI

Clinicians differentiate between urinary and faecal incontinence. This is a serious disorder that can severely limit the quality of life of those affected and may even lead to social isolation. One in six people over the age of 40 is affected, for a total of 46 million people in Europe. 1,2

Incontinence is a taboo subject: around 40 % of all those affected with urinary incontinence 3 above the age of 50 do not seek medical help and remain untreated. For faecal incontinence, the figure is as high as 85 %. 4

Infographic on incontinence in Europe. Top icon of a person with the text “46 million affected in Europe.” Middle section shows a droplet icon and text: “1 in 6 people over the age of 40 are affected.” Below are two donut charts: “Urinary Incontinence – 40%” “Faecal Incontinence – 85%” Caption reads: “...of affected individuals over age 50 do not seek medical help. These individuals remain untreated, despite available therapies.” Bottom image shows a hand holding two speech bubbles. Text reads: “Incontinence is more common than people realise. Greater awareness and openness can lead to more diagnoses, better treatment, and improved quality of life.”

To find out more.
Select the tab about Urinary Incontinence or Faecal Incontinence

Urinary incontinence Faecal incontinence

Types of urinary incontinence

Bladder control issues are treatable, and the symptoms are manageable. Contrary to preconceptions, urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging or inevitable after giving birth. It is a medical condition for which it is important to seek medical advice.

Older woman with short grey hair wearing a pale pink top, sneezing into a tissue against a neutral grey background.

Stress incontinence

Complaint of involuntary loss of urine during effort or physical activity (sports), or when sneezing or coughing.

Elderly woman with long white hair pressing her fingers to the bridge of her nose, showing discomfort, seated indoors.

Mixed incontinence

Combination of stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence.

Woman in jeans and white top standing in front of a toilet, holding her pelvic area with both hands, indicating urgency or discomfort.

Stress incontinence

Urge incontinence

Stress incontinence

Complaint of involuntary loss of urine associated with an urge to urinate.

Several white incontinence pads arranged on a pastel blue background, suggesting personal care or incontinence management.

Mixed incontinence

Urinary urgency, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia, with or without urgency urinary incontinence, in the absence of urinary tract infection or other obvious pathology.

Person holding a pink diagram of a human bladder in front of their lower abdomen, symbolizing urinary health or incontinence.

Mixed incontinence

Overactive bladder (OAB)

Urinary incontinence treatment options

Overactive bladder and urge incontinence are treatable. Pads and other conservative measures are not always enough as they do not address the root causes of your symptoms. Other options are available.

An older man sitting in a kitchen, holding a glass of water while someone hands him a pill bottle, implying support with taking medication.
  • Anticholinergics or beta-3 agonists for urinary incontinence.
  • Antibiotics for urinary tract infections.
  • Oestrogen therapy for mild forms of stress incontinence.


Find out more

Downloads

Flowchart Urinary Incontinence
Download the OAB Decision Aid
A female doctor smiling and holding a clipboard while speaking with a female patient across the desk in a bright consultation room.

Downloads

Flowchart Urinary Incontinence
Download the OAB Decision Aid

Surgical therapies

Surgery may be indicated when conservative treatment options do not help. Surgical options include:

For stress incontinence: slings made of a surgical mesh that restore the normal anatomy of the bladder.

For overactive bladder symptoms:

Botulinum toxin A (Botox) injections every six months which are used to reduce bladder contractions by acting on nerve endings in the bladder wall

Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM): SNM provides continuous stimulation of the sacral nerves, using low-amplitude electrical impulses to restore control of bladder functions.   Read more about the Sacral Neuromodulation therapy

Find a SNM expertise center near you
  • Weight loss/maintaining a healthy weight
  • Reducing the intake of stimulants (e.g. caffeine, theine, alcohol)
  • Maintain an appropriate level of hydration
  •  Keeping a bladder diary on paper (some hospitals also offer digital tools, such as the Minze Diary Pod).
  • Perform bladder training

Kegel exercises can help strengthen the muscles under the uterus, bladder and large intestine. They can help men and women who experience problems with urinary leakage or bow el control.

Hypopressive abdominal gymnastics involves working on the abdominal region using breathing techniques based on expiratory apnea.

Downloads

Download the OAB Decision Aid
Flowchart Urinary Incontinence

Medication

Medications can help with various forms of incontinence but may cause side effects.

  • Anticholinergics or beta-3 agonists for urinary incontinence.
  • Antibiotics for urinary tract infections.
  • Oestrogen therapy for mild forms of stress incontinence.

Downloads

Download the OAB Decision Aid
Flowchart Urinary Incontinence

Behavioural treatments

Firstly, there are some lifestyle changes and things you can do yourself which might help with the symptoms of urinary incontinence, including:

  • Weight loss/maintaining a healthy weight
  • Reducing the intake of stimulants (e.g. caffeine, theine, alcohol)
  • Maintain an appropriate level of hydration
  •  Keeping a bladder diary on paper (some hospitals also offer digital tools, such as the Minze Diary Pod).
  • Perform bladder training

Kegel exercises can help strengthen the muscles under the uterus, bladder and large intestine. They can help men and women who experience problems with urinary leakage or bow el control.

Hypopressive abdominal gymnastics involves working on the abdominal region using breathing techniques based on expiratory apnea.

Downloads

Download the OAB Decision Aid
Flowchart Urinary Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence (UI)

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Read more

Urinary incontinence myths Vs facts

Myth

Vs

Fact

Incontinence is a normal part of aging.

Vs

While UI is more common with age, it is not inevitable. It often has treatable underlying causes, and many older adults remain continent with proper care and treatment.

Only women experience urinary incontinence.

Vs

Although women are more likely to experience UI due to childbirth and hormonal changes, men can also develop UI, especially due to prostate issues or surgery.

If you drink less water, you’ll leak less.

Vs

Reducing fluid intake can actually worsen UI by concentrating urine and irritating the bladder. Staying hydrated is important for bladder health.

UI is only caused by weak pelvic floor muscles.

Vs

Pelvic floor weakness is one factor, but neurological disorders, medications, infections, and lifestyle also play a role. Not all cases are about muscle strength alone.

There’s nothing you can do — just use pads.

Vs

Many effective treatments exist, from pelvic floor therapy and medication to surgical options like sacral neuromodulation or bladder Botox. Pads are not the only solution.

What is faecal incontinence (FI)

Faecal incontinence prevents you from controlling your bowel movements. You may experience unexpected leaks or use the bathroom very frequently. Some people experience a combination of these symptoms.

An older woman sitting on a sofa, holding her stomach with a pained expression, suggesting discomfort or abdominal pain.

Faecal incontinence myths Vs facts

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Myth

Vs

Fact

Blue line drawing of the human intestines, stylized and simplified, symbolizing digestive or bowel health.

Faecal incontinence only happens after severe illness or surgery.

Vs

FI can result from childbirth, chronic constipation, nerve damage, or aging. It’s often a combination of factors, not just severe trauma.

Blue line icon showing five people in a group, symbolizing community, prevalence, or shared experience.

It’s extremely rare.

Vs

FI is more common than people think, affecting up to 1 in 12 adults, especially older individuals or those with chronic GI conditions.

Blue line drawing of a hand wiping a surface with sparkles around it, representing cleanliness or hygiene.

People with FI are just careless or unhygienic.

Vs

FI is a medical condition, not a result of personal neglect. It’s often caused by factors outside a person’s control, such as nerve damage or weakened anal sphincters.

There’s no cure or treatment.

Vs

From dietary changes and pelvic floor therapy to sacral neuromodulation or surgery, there are multiple treatment options — and many patients see significant improvement.

Blue outline of a neutral face with two eyes, a straight mouth, and a single sweat drop on the forehead, symbolizing worry, shame, or embarrassment.

It’s too embarrassing to talk about — even with a doctor.

Vs

While stigma is real, healthcare professionals are trained to deal with this sensitively. Speaking up is the first step toward getting relief and better quality of life.

Faecal incontinence conservative treatments

Faecal incontinence (FI) is one of the most common fecal disorders. It is the uncontrollable leakage of faecal matter (liquid or solid stools) that recurs and persists over a prolonged period, apart from a one-off infection. There are several different options to treat faecal incontinence:

Behavioural treatments

In the beginning, the doctor might propose some first-line treatments, including:

  •  Lifestyle modification (i. e. stop smoking, weight loss)
  • Behavioural changes (i. e. toilet routine)
  • Dietary adjustments (e. g. high fibre, low caffeine)
  • Keeping a bowel diary to track habits and symptoms

Downloads

Flowchart of FI
Patient decision aid

Medication

Medications may be prescribed to control the symptoms of faecal incontinence:

  • Skin barrier creams
  • Anti-diarrheal medication
  • Stool bulking agents

Downloads

Flowchart of FI
Patient decision aid

Non-surgical interventions

  • percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation: The minimally invasive technology stimulates the posterior tibial nerve near the ankle, transmitting electrical impulses that regulate neural activity of the bladder and bowel.
  • transanal irrigation: This treatment is designed to instil water into the colon through a rectal catheter to promote evacuation of the contents of the lower colon.
  • anal inserts: Inserted just like a suppository, these devices help prevent uncontrolled loss of stool

Downloads

Education spotlight: Transanal irrigation for constipation

Supported by Medtronic

Empowering patients by highlighting the treatment pathways for UI & FI

Clinicians differentiate between urinary and faecal incontinence. This is a serious disorder that can severely limit the quality of life of those affected and may even lead to social isolation. One in six people over the age of 40 is affected, for a total of 46 million people in Europe. 1,2

Incontinence is a taboo subject: around 40 % of all those affected with urinary incontinence 3 above the age of 50 do not seek medical help and remain untreated. For faecal incontinence, the figure is as high as 85 %. 4

1. Milsom, I. et al. How widespread are the symptoms of an overactive bladder and how are they managed? A population-based prevalence study. BJU Int. 87, 760 – 6 (20 01).
2. Eurostat Data Explorer for EU28: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database.
International Consultation on Incontinence, Tokyo, 2016.
3. Sullivan R et al: Unreported urinary incontinence: population-based prevalence and factors associated with non-reporting of symptoms in community-dwelling people ≥ 50 years. European Geriatric Medicine, 07 Oct 2020,
12(2):405-412.
4. Damon, H. et al. Prevalence of anal incontinence in adults and impact on quality-of-life. Gastroenterol. Clin. Biol. 30, 37–43 (2006).