What causes urinary incontinence?

The bladder is controlled by several muscles and nerves, which must have the strength and coordination to ensure your bladder and urethra (the tube draining urine out from your body) remain closed when you’re not ready to use the toilet despite your bladder containing urine.

When pressure is placed on your bladder or your bladder muscles tighten suddenly or involuntarily, and the muscles keeping the urethra closed are weak, urine can accidentally leak out.

Women are more likely to have urinary incontinence if they:

Are obese or overweight, which places additional pressure on the bladder

Often struggle with constipation, as straining on the toilet adds pressure to the bladder and pelvic floor muscles

Have a weakened pelvic floor from pregnancy and childbirth, particularly a vaginal delivery

Have a chronic cough, such as from a respiratory condition or cigarette smoking

Live with a condition such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, affecting the nerves to the bladder, urethra, or pelvic floor muscles

Women who have been through menopause are also at a higher risk of urinary incontinence, with more than 40% of women over 65 years old being affected by this condition. This is thought to be due to the effects of declining oestrogen levels on the strength of your pelvic floor muscles and urethra.