Incontinence is far more common among women than many people realise. In Australia, nearly 4 in 10 women experience some form of urinary incontinence, with prevalence rates rising significantly with age: around 40% of women aged 30–44, 50% of women aged 45–59, and 30% of women aged 60–74 report symptoms. Overall, more than 7.2 million Australians are living with incontinence, and women are disproportionately affected.
For carers, these numbers highlight a critical reality: incontinence is not a rare or isolated condition, but a widespread challenge that requires awareness, sensitivity, and practical strategies. Poorly managed incontinence can contribute to skin breakdown, infections, discomfort, and reduced independence. Beyond the physical impact, the stigma surrounding incontinence often leads to embarrassment, isolation, and diminished quality of life for women who experience it.
The caregiving burden is significant, too. Research shows that over 72,000 primary carers in Australia assist someone with incontinence, and 81% of these carers are women, with most providing more than 40 hours of care per week. This is not just a health issue — it’s also a social and caregiving challenge that affects families, households, and communities.
By understanding the prevalence, impact, and management of women’s incontinence, carers can play a vital role in preserving dignity, promoting health, and improving the daily lives of those they support. Informed carers are also better positioned to advocate for access to continence services and resources, which is increasingly important as Australia’s population ages.
What Causes Incontinence in Women?
Incontinence in women can arise from a variety of factors, many of which are linked to natural life stages, lifestyle influences, or underlying health conditions. Understanding these causes is important because it helps women and carers recognise that incontinence is not a personal failing — it’s a medical issue that can often be managed with the right support and care.
1. Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy places significant pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. Vaginal deliveries, especially those involving prolonged labour, forceps, or large babies, can stretch and weaken pelvic floor muscles and nerves. This damage can reduce bladder control and increase the likelihood of stress incontinence (leakage when coughing, laughing, or exercising).
2. Menopause and Hormonal Changes
The drop in oestrogen levels during menopause can thin the tissues of the urethra and bladder lining. These hormonal changes reduce elasticity and muscle strength, which can lead to leakage or frequent urges.
3. Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, uterus, and bowel. Weakening of these muscles — due to aging, pregnancy, or lack of exercise — can compromise bladder control.
4. Chronic Strain and Lifestyle Factors
-
Obesity: Extra weight increases pressure on the bladder.
-
Chronic cough (from asthma, smoking, or lung disease): Repeated pressure on pelvic muscles can cause leaks.
-
High-impact exercise: Activities such as running and jumping can stress the pelvic floor if not supported by strong muscles.
5. Medical Conditions
Certain conditions interfere with bladder signalling and control:
-
Diabetes (nerve damage can affect bladder sensation).
-
Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke.
-
Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can temporarily worsen incontinence symptoms.
6. Aging
As women age, bladder capacity often decreases and involuntary contractions become more frequent. Coupled with muscle weakening, this makes leakage more likely.
7. Surgery
Hysterectomy and other pelvic surgeries may damage nerves or supporting tissues, impacting bladder control.
Symptoms of Incontinence in Women
Incontinence can present in different ways, and the symptoms often depend on the type. Some women experience stress incontinence, where small leaks happen during activities that put pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, laughing, or exercising. Others may notice signs of urge incontinence, which include a sudden, strong need to urinate, frequent bathroom visits, and leakage before reaching the toilet.
Some women live with mixed incontinence, which is a combination of both stress and urge symptoms. There is also overflow incontinence, where the bladder doesn’t empty fully, leading to constant dribbling or a feeling of incomplete emptying. In some cases, functional incontinence occurs when mobility, arthritis, or cognitive issues make it difficult to reach the toilet in time, even if bladder control is otherwise normal.
General signs of incontinence across all types include needing pads or liners more often, skin irritation from moisture, or avoiding social activities due to fear of leaks. While symptoms can start small, they can have a big impact on daily life and emotional wellbeing. For carers, recognising these signs early and encouraging open conversation can make a significant difference in getting timely support and treatment.
Impact on Women’s Lives
For women living with disability — or for those caring for someone disabled — the effects can be even more significant.
This isn’t just about managing bladder or bowel control. Incontinence can influence almost every aspect of daily life. A recent national survey revealed that 39% of people with incontinence felt less confident leaving the house, while nearly a third said it had harmed their mental health. The stigma surrounding the condition often leads to shame and isolation, which can make it harder for women to reach out for support.
For carers, the impact is equally challenging. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that nearly 73% of carers supporting someone with incontinence provide more than 40 hours of unpaid care each week. Almost half report being left physically or emotionally drained, with many experiencing anxiety or depression as a result. When many of these carers are women themselves, already juggling work, family, and health responsibilities, the strain can be immense.
Despite how common incontinence is, silence persists. Even well-known Australians, such as former athlete turned doctor Dr. Jana Pittman, have spoken out about how it affected their confidence and relationships. Her openness highlights an important truth: incontinence is treatable. Options range from pelvic floor exercises and physiotherapy to specialist care and, in some cases, surgery.
For women and carers alike, the most powerful step is breaking the silence. By recognising incontinence as a health condition — rather than something to be hidden — we can reduce stigma, share resources, and ensure no one feels alone in their experience.
Management and Treatment Options for Women
Living with incontinence can be overwhelming, but thankfully, many effective management strategies exist, especially here in Australia.
1. Lifestyle & Behavioural Changes
For many women, small changes make a big difference. Adjusting fluids, reducing caffeine or alcohol, increasing dietary fibre, managing weight, and quitting smoking can ease symptoms and support bladder health.
2. Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Internationally and in Australia, the cornerstone of incontinence treatment involves guided pelvic floor muscle training under the care of a specialist physiotherapist. These trained clinicians assess your pelvic floor, coach you to perform the correct contractions, and tailor a program — typically over five sessions across 4–6 months. One Australian study reported an 84% objective cure and satisfaction rate in stress urinary incontinence cases with proper physiotherapy.
3. Bladder Retraining & Continence Aids
Bladder retraining — gradually increasing the time between toilet visits — works in tandem with pelvic floor therapy to build control over urgency episodes. For day-to-day support, continence products like pads or pessaries can also help manage symptoms discreetly.
4. When Needed: Medication and Surgical Interventions
Medication options are limited and typically reserved for urge incontinence. Botulinum toxin A (Botox) is available in Australia for overactive bladder, including neurogenic and non-neurogenic cases, and is subsidised under the PBS for neurogenic forms.
Surgical options are considered when conservative treatments aren’t enough. These include mid-urethral slings (synthetic or autologous fascial slings), urethral bulking agents, Burch colposuspension, among other procedures — all aimed at supporting bladder control.
5. Support & Resources in Australia
Australia’s National Continence Program (NCP) offers accessible supports — from education to subsidised aids — helping women and carers manage incontinence with confidence and dignity. The National Continence Helpline (1800 330 066) provides confidential advice from continence nurse advisers across the nation.
Conclusion
Incontinence may be common, but it doesn’t have to define daily life. With the right management, whether through pelvic floor therapy, bladder training, or simple continence products like pads, liners, or support garments, women can regain confidence and independence.
For carers, these products ease the physical demands of support and protect dignity, making everyday routines less stressful for everyone involved. When paired with professional guidance and resources such as the National Continence Helpline (1800 330 066), managing incontinence becomes less about limitation and more about enabling women to live the lives they choose.
By embracing the tools and treatments available, we can move beyond stigma and ensure that incontinence is managed with dignity, practicality, and compassion.
Sources
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. (n.d.). Treatment options for stress urinary incontinence: Consumer information. Retrieved from https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/Treatment-Options-SUI-Consumer-Info.pdf
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2009). Incontinence in Australia: Prevalence, experience and cost. Canberra: AIHW. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/incontinence-in-australia-prevalence-experience/contents/summary
Australian Prescriber. (n.d.). Management of urinary incontinence in adults. Retrieved from https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/articles/management-of-urinary-incontinence-in-adults.html
Continence Foundation of Australia. (2023). Key statistics on incontinence. Retrieved from https://www.continence.org.au/about-us/our-work/key-statistics-incontinence
Continence Foundation of Australia. (n.d.). Continence in Australia snapshot. Retrieved from https://www.continence.org.au/sites/default/files/continence_in_australia_snapshot_1.pdf
Department of Health and Aged Care. (n.d.). National Continence Program (NCP). Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-continence-program-ncp
Essential Health Physio. (n.d.). Urinary incontinence in women. Retrieved from https://essentialhealthphysio.com.au/urinary-incontinence-in-women/
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). (n.d.). Physiotherapy for female stress urinary incontinence. Retrieved from https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/403b1453-e4f3-47a7-9221-509986556189/attachment.aspx
The Royal Women’s Hospital. (n.d.). Urinary incontinence. Retrieved from https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/continence-information/urinary-incontinence
Women’s Agenda. (2025). Carers and continence: Preparing for an ageing Australia. Retrieved from https://womensagenda.com.au