Fellowship-Trained Urogynecologist
Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Green Bay, Wisconsin
✓ Medically reviewed May 14, 2026
How common is urinary incontinence in women?
Very common. Research estimates that up to 46% of adult women experience some form of urinary incontinence. If you’re dealing with bladder leakage, you are far from alone, though it can certainly feel that way since most women don’t talk about it openly.
The numbers
- About 17% of women over age 20 have urinary incontinence, rising to 38% of women over 60
- Nearly half of young nulliparous women report occasional leakage with coughing, sneezing, or exercise
- Overactive bladder alone affects about 17% of women overall and more than 30% of women over 65
- Women are about twice as likely as men to develop incontinence
- Up to 75% of affected women never discuss symptoms with a provider
These numbers likely undercount the true scope of the problem. The stigma around incontinence has been rated higher than that of depression or a cancer diagnosis, and that stigma keeps people silent.
Why it’s so common
The female pelvic floor faces unique challenges throughout life. Pregnancy places months of increasing weight on these structures. Vaginal delivery stretches muscles and can injure nerves, with about 20% of women developing a visible levator ani defect after vaginal birth. Menopause reduces the hormones that maintain tissue strength. Each of these transitions can weaken the support system that keeps the bladder sealed.
Obesity is another major contributor, with a dose-response relationship: higher BMI brings progressively higher risk.
When I tell patients how common incontinence is, there’s often a visible sense of relief. They’ve been dealing with this alone, not realizing that millions of other women have the same experience and that we have effective ways to help.
Common but not normal
There’s an important distinction between “common” and “normal.” Just because a condition is widespread doesn’t mean you should accept it. Urinary incontinence is a medical condition with effective treatments, not an inevitable consequence of being a woman or getting older.
I see women every week who tell me they waited years to make an appointment because they thought nothing could be done. That’s the biggest myth we need to get past. Incontinence is treatable, and in many cases, curable.
You don’t have to wait
If you’re experiencing bladder leakage of any kind, there’s no reason to wait before seeking help. A urogynecologist can evaluate your specific situation and walk through options with you, from pelvic floor physical therapy (which goes well beyond Kegels to include coordination, relaxation, endurance training, and more) to medications to minimally invasive procedures. The best approach depends on what’s bothering you most, and that’s a conversation we have together.
References
- Lukacz ES, Santiago-Lastra Y, Albo ME, Brubaker L. Urinary incontinence in women: a review. JAMA. 2017;318(16):1592-1604. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.12137
- Nygaard IE, Heit M. Stress urinary incontinence. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104(3):607-620. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000137874.84862.94
- Sanses TVD, Zillioux J, High RA, et al. Evidence-informed, interdisciplinary, multidimensional action plan to advance overactive bladder research and treatment initiatives. Urogynecology. 2023;29(1):3-16. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000001274
- ACOG/AUGS Committee Opinion No. 603. Evaluation of uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence in women before surgical treatment. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;123(6):1403-1407.
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