are you one of the 3.5 million canadians who have experienced urinary incontinence?

get healthing in your inbox with the morning checkup and weekender newsletter!

incontinence is a treatable condition that can take a huge toll on quality of life and self-esteem with patients often too embarrassed to seek help.

by dave yasvinski

published dec 29, 2022

last updated feb 20, 2025

4 minute read

join the conversation

4 minute read

join the conversation

for most people, symptoms of incontinence can be addressed through simple lifestyle changes or medical care. getty

urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of bladder control. this common condition, which becomes more prevalent with age, makes it difficult for a person to control when they pee and can result in the accidental release of urine at the wrong time or place.

incontinence is usually a symptom of something else going on inside the body, according to the canadian continence foundation, and should be discussed with a health-care professional. unfortunately, many patients are reluctant to do so, often out of embarrassment, a decision that prevents them from accessing help for a very treatable condition. in addition to being extremely frustrating, incontinence can take a huge toll on the quality of life of patients who may be afraid to stray too far from home for fear of having an accident. this can lead to reduced self-esteem and a desire to isolate from others, according to the canadian cancer society.

there are several different types of urinary incontinence, all with different triggers for leakage. these include urge incontinence (an intense need to urinate immediately); stress incontinence (when urine leaks during activities); overflow incontinence (when the bladder never fully empties); and mixed incontinence (a combination of the other types). knowing the version you are dealing with can help with treatment.

there are a wide range of reasons a person may experience incontinence, such as from consuming foods or drinks that act as diuretics, from treatable medical conditions (such as a urinary tract infection) or from normal bodily functions or underlying physical issues (such as pregnancy, aging or cancer).

around 3.5 million canadians currently suffer from incontinence, a number that is expected to increase dramatically as the country’s population continues to age. fortunately, for most people, symptoms can be addressed through simple lifestyle changes or medical care.

symptoms of urinary incontinence

the main symptom of incontinence is the involuntary release of urine. this can range in severity from a slight release during a sneeze to an intense urge to urinate without enough time to reach a washroom. the timing of these releases vary depending on the type of incontinence a person is experiencing but, in general, urination can be triggered by different actions or activities, including coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercising.

diagnosing urinary incontinence

determining the type of urinary incontinence a person is experiencing is key to treatment, according to the mayo clinic. diagnosis usually begins with a physical examination, where a doctor may ask a patient to perform simple functions that illustrate the issue, such as coughing. there are a number of procedures that may be recommended, such as:

urinalysis — urine is inspected for signs of blood, infection or other issues
bladder diary — patients are asked to keep track of how much they drink, the amount of urgency they feel and how often and how much they pee
post-void residual measurement — patients are asked to urinate into a container before a doctor checks the amount of urine remaining in the bladder. this can reveal a urinary tract obstruction or an issue with the nerves or muscles in the bladder

treating urinary incontinence

similar to diagnosis, treatment depends on the specific type and severity of incontinence. a combination of treatments may be required, including:

behavioural therapies — techniques such as bladder training, double voiding (urinating, waiting a few minutes and urinating again), scheduled toilet trips and fluid diet management can help with symptoms
pelvic floor muscle exercises — these strengthen the muscles that control urination
medications — drugs may be prescribed to calm an overactive bladder, treat urge incontinence and relax muscles
electrical stimulation — electrodes are temporarily inserted into the rectum or vagina to stimulate and strengthen muscles
medical devices — a tampon-like urethral insert can help prevent incontinence during physical activities
interventional therapies — injections of botox or other substances may help keep the urethra closed and reduce leakage. nerve stimulators may also be used to control an overactive bladder
surgery — if all else fails, a series of surgical procedures may be considered to address the issue

preventing urinary incontinence

incontinence can’t always be prevented but lifestyle changes can help mitigate risk. these include maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding bladder irritants, eating more fibre (constipation can cause incontinence), quitting smoking and practising pelvic floor exercises.

prevalence of urinary incontinence

it is estimated that around 3.5 million canadians have experienced a form of urinary incontinence, including men and women of all ages. women are more likely to suffer from stress incontinence (due largely to bodily changes from pregnancy, childbirth and menopause), while men with prostate issues are more at risk from urge and overflow incontinence.

support for urinary incontinence

for more news and information about urinary incontinence, visit the canadian continence foundation or the canadian cancer society.

dave yasvinski is a toronto-based writer.

don’t miss a thing: sign-up for healthing’s newsletter

thank you for your support. if you liked this story, please send it to a friend. every share counts.

dave yasvinski

are you one of the 3.5 million canadians who have experienced urinary incontinence?

incontinence is a treatable condition that can take a huge toll on quality of life and self-esteem with patients often too embarrassed to seek help.

incontinence: peeing with a sneeze, loss of bowel control is no laughing matter for 4 million canadians