Oct 20, 2025
Did you know that urinary incontinence is more common in women than men? While it may seem random, there are real reasons behind it; and some of them might even surprise you.
So why does incontinence affect women more? Let’s explore why it happens, everyday ways to manage it, and the products that can help you stay confident and in control.
Urinary Incontinence: Women vs. Men
Over 435 million people worldwide aged 20 and older experience some form of incontinence.1 Bladder leaks in women are twice as common as in men.2
Not only is incontinence more common in women, but it could also show up differently.3 Here’s a quick comparison:
Physical Differences
Women have a shorter urethra, making them more prone to urinary tract infections, which may also cause leaks.2,3
In men, it’s generally one organ, the prostate, that can cause incontinence.3
Life Events and Aging
With women, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause increase the risk of incontinence. Women’s estrogen levels also decline during and after menopause, which can lead to bladder leaks.2,3
As men age, they can develop urinary issues because of an enlarged prostate. Having prostate surgery also increases the possibility of leaks.3
Common Types of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a broad condition and there are multiple types.1 Both men and women can experience all types of incontinence, but some are more common in women.1,2
Here are the types of urinary incontinence and how they may show up in your daily life.
Stress Incontinence
If you notice leaks when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or jump, you may be experiencing stress incontinence.1 You're not alone; this type is especially common among women.1 It often begins during or after pregnancy, as these life events can weaken the pelvic floor muscles over time.3
Urge Incontinence (Overactive Bladder)
That sudden, strong urge to pee that makes you rush to the toilet could be a sign of urge incontinence.1 It affects both men and women, but is more common in older women.1 Some possible triggers include: 4
- Menopause
- Aging
- Muscle damage
Overflow Incontinence
If you’ve noticed some dampness sometimes after using the bathroom, overflow incontinence could be the reason. It happens when your bladder does not fully empty after using the toilet, leading to dribbling later on.4 This type of leak is more common among men due to prostate conditions like an enlarged prostate.3
Functional Incontinence
This type of incontinence isn’t about your bladder; it happens when a health condition makes it harder to reach the bathroom in time.4 These conditions might include memory challenges like dementia or mobility issues like arthritis.4
Mixed Incontinence
If you have this type of incontinence, you could be dealing with two kinds of incontinence; stress and urge.4 It might feel frustrating, but you're not alone. This mix is especially common among women over 60.4,5
Urinary Incontinence in Women
As mentioned earlier, women tend to experience urinary incontinence more than men because of physical differences, life events, and hormonal shifts. Let’s look at these causes in more detail.
Incontinence causes
How Urinary Incontinence Differs Between Men and Women
Childbirth
Vaginal delivery could damage your pelvic floor.7 If this damage doesn’t heal, it may lead to leaks.7 The good news is these muscles often recover within a few months, and not all women will experience bladder leaks.7
Menopause
During menopause, your hormone levels change.4 One of those hormones, estrogen, drops.4 As it does, your bladder and urethra could become thinner and less elastic, making leaks more likely.4
Pelvic floor trauma
Outside childbirth, high-impact exercises like burpees or jump squats, while beneficial, could overload or injure the muscles that support your bladder.8 This damage may increase the risk of stress incontinence.8
Obesity
Excess weight could place more pressure on your pelvic floor, stretching or straining it over time.9 This constant stress may raise the risk of stress incontinence.9
Hysterectomy
This surgery removes the womb and could affect the nerves that help control your bladder, increasing the chance of stress incontinence.10,11
Smoking
This habit could put you at risk for leaks because of the chronic cough that comes with it.12 This repeated coughing increases pressure on your pelvic floor, which may lead to stress incontinence.12
Treatment Options for Women
Here are some treatment options you could explore with your doctor:13
- Pelvic floor exercises: Also known as Kegels, these simple exercises could help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which may help reduce leaks over time.
- Bladder training: This option could help you retrain your bladder to hold in pee for longer periods without leaks with the help of a schedule.
- Medications: Your doctor might prescribe vaginal estrogen to support the area around your urethra or Botox to calm your bladder down.
- Surgery: If other options don’t improve your symptoms, your doctor might recommend a procedure like a sling. These surgeries could help give your urethra or bladder the support it needs to reduce leaks.
Urinary Incontinence in Men
Although male incontinence is less common, leaks are often more noticeable later in life.14 This is often due to prostate changes.14,15
Here are some of the typical causes in detail:
Men’s Incontinence Causes
Age
Men are less likely to experience bladder leaks because their pelvic floor is not placed under the same strain as women’s.15 But, as they get older, these muscles could weaken over time, resulting in unexpected leaks during everyday activities.15
Prostate changes
The prostate is a small gland that helps your body make semen and controls how your urine flows.16As men get older, the prostate can enlarge and press on the urethra, causing leaks.16
Prostate surgery
If you have prostate cancer, your doctor might suggest surgery, but it may affect your nerves, making it harder to control your bladder.17 Talking with your doctor could help you understand your options before and after your surgery.
Neurological Conditions
Certain conditions can damage your nerves, affecting how your bladder holds urine and empties.17 Some conditions that may affect your nerves and cause leaks include:17
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
Myths About Urinary Incontinence
When it comes to bladder leaks, there are many myths and misconceptions. Some of them sound true, but they don’t always tell the full story. Here are a few of the most common ones:
Myth 1: Only women experience incontinence
Because it’s so common among women, this myth sounds believable. In reality, urinary incontinence is not gender specific. It can affect both men and women.2
Myth 2: It’s just a normal part of aging
Aging can bring changes that may increase the risk of leaks.12 But incontinence is not something you simply have to accept; there are ways to manage it effectively.2
Myth 4: Nothing can be done about it
This is one of the most limiting myths. There are effective ways to manage incontinence, whether you’re a man or a woman.2,14 Simple lifestyle changes and support from your doctor could help you feel more in control.2,14
Myth 5: It only happens after pregnancy
Incontinence can affect anyone; it’s not limited to after childbirth. While pregnancy and childbirth may increase your risk, they’re just one of several possible factors.2
You can navigate life with confidence, no matter the type of incontinence you’re experiencing. TENA offers a range of products for both men and women to help you feel secure, comfortable, and in control again.
Understanding the type of urinary incontinence you have can be empowering, helping you take the right steps to manage it effectively, whether you’re a man or a woman. Knowing that it’s a common condition is also reassuring.
With the right support and strategies, it’s manageable and treatable,2 allowing you to continue living life confidently and comfortably.
FAQs
How Common is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is very common, affecting millions of people worldwide.1 Although it affects women more, many men also live with it.2,14
Why Do Women Have Weaker Bladder Control?
Women often have incontinence because of life events like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause that weaken the pelvic floor, or because they are prone to urinary tract infections due to their anatomy.2
What Does It Mean If a Woman Can't Hold Her Bladder?
It means you could have a type of urinary incontinence. Bladder leaks often happen because of a weak pelvic floor, a problem with nerve signals, or an overactive bladder.2,17
Which Gender Can Hold Their Pee the Longest?
Adult men and women’s bladders can hold about 300ml (about 10.14 oz) to 400ml (about 13.53 oz) of urine. But certain factors could affect how long you can hold your pee or often you use the bathroom, like how much water you drink.18
At What Age Do Most Women Become Incontinent?
Incontinence could occur at any age, but it's more common after pregnancy and childbirth, and during and after menopause.2
At What Age Do Most Men Become Incontinent?
Men are more likely to notice bladder leaks later in life, often around the age of 64.19 This could be due to prostate changes.16
References
1. Leslie S, Tran L, Puckett Y. Urinary Incontinence [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559095/
2. Ashley Marcin. Urinary Incontinence in Women: Types, Treatments, and Outlook [Internet]. Healthline. 2023. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/incontinence-in-women
3. Silverberg L. Urinary Incontinence: Men vs. Women [Internet]. Top Urologist NYC. 2020. Available from: https://www.topurologistnyc.com/urinary-incontinence-men-vs-women/
4. Urology Clinic of North Texas. Incontinence: It’s Not a “One Size Fits All” Issue - Urology Clinics of North Texas [Internet]. Urology Clinics of North Texas. 2024 [cited 2025 Aug 2]. Available from: https://urologyclinics.com/blog/incontinence-men-vs-women/
5. WebMD Editorial Contributor. Types of Urinary Incontinence [Internet]. WebMD. 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/types-of-urinary-incontinence
6. Elisabeth M. Sebestax, Roger R. Dmochowski. Mixed Urinary Incontinence: Diagnosis and Management [Internet]. Lidsen.com. 2025 [cited 2025 Aug 2]. Available from: https://www.lidsen.com/journals/geriatrics/geriatrics-07-04-251/obm.geriatr.2304251.pdf
7. Amy Rosenman, MD. Childbirth & Incontinence - Urogynecoloy & Pelvic Health | UCLA Health [Internet]. www.uclahealth.org. Available from: https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/womens-pelvic-health/patient-education/childbirth-incontinence
8. Khowailed IA, Pinjuv-Turney J, Lu C, Lee H. Stress Incontinence during Different High-Impact Exercises in Women: A Pilot Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [Internet]. 2020 Nov 12 [cited 2021 Aug 21];17(22). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33198262/
9. Ballard AC, Richter HE. The Impact of Obesity and Weight Loss on Urinary and Bowel Incontinence Symptoms in Women. Menopausal medicine : for clinicians who provide care for women / American Society for Reproductive Medicine [Internet]. 2011 Aug;19(3):S1. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4226402/
10. Matthew Hoffman, MD. What Is a Hysterectomy and Why Is It Performed? [Internet]. WebMD. 2023. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/women/hysterectomy
11. Tulokas S, Maarit Mentula, Päivi Härkki, Brummer T, Jyrki Jalkanen, T. Kuittinen, et al. Stress urinary incontinence after hysterectomy: a 10-year national follow-up study. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022 Jan 21;305(4):1089–97.
12. Jenkins S. How Smoking Contributes To Incontinence - National Association For Continence [Internet]. National Association For Continence. 2017. Available from: https://nafc.org/bhealth-blog/how-smoking-contributes-to-incontinence
13. WebMD Editorial Contributors. Treatment for Urinary Incontinence in Women [Internet]. WebMD. WebMD; 2017. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/treatment-urinary-incontinence-women
14. Holland K. Male Incontinence: Treatment, Prevention, and More [Internet]. Healthline. 2017. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/male-incontinence
15. Mayo Clinic. Aging: What to expect [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/aging/art-20046070
16. Newman T. Prostate: Functions, diseases, and tests [Internet]. www.medicalnewstoday.com. 2023. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319859
17. WebMD Editorial Contributor. What Causes Urinary Incontinence in Men? [Internet]. WebMD. 2025. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/causes-urinary-incontinence-men
18. Griffin RM. Urinary Incontinence Products for Men [Internet]. WebMD. 2024 [cited 2025 Aug 3]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/men/urinary-incontinence-products-for-men
19. Clemens JQ. Urinary incontinence in males [Internet]. Uptodate.com. 2024. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/urinary-incontinence-in-males
