The 2019 State Of Incontinence Survey Results
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
Receive custom tools to help you manage your condition and get the latest in bladder and bowel health from NAFC!
Incontinence affects more than You Think…
NAFC recently conducted a large scale survey of more than 1,100 patients living with incontinence to determine the extent it has on their lives. What we found was both surprising, and astounding.
We learned that incontinence affects people all the time, and in more ways than you might think. From the physical aspects, to emotional distress, and even financial burdens, incontinence is a condition that takes its toll in every way.
Read below to learn about some of our findings, and then watch our short video with the results.
Want access to the full report? Click here to download it.
Incontinence is a constant burden…
80% of respondents deal with incontinence either on an everyday basis, or 3 to 5 times per week.
…And It’s Life-Limiting
Incontinence symptoms reduce patients’ ability and willingness to participate in everyday activities.
The emotional toll can be debilitating…
90% of patients report feeling either isolated, depressed or hopeless as a result of their condition.
…Yet, the stigma is real.
27% of respondents have not spoken with their doctor about their incontinence symptoms, and 50% are uncomfortable talking with close friends or family members about it.
Too many go undiagnosed…
36% of people reporting leakage, frequent trips, and sudden urges were undiagnosed. 27% haven’t spoken with their doctors at all about their incontinence!
…And conditions worsen over time.
Seeing improvement in incontinence symptoms in the last 12 months is rare. Only 2% of patients have reported improvement in their symptoms in the last year.
Watch our short video to learn more about the survey results!
What Can I Do About Incontinence?
It may feel like a hopeless condition, but incontinence condition that you can treat. Learn more about incontinence, talk to people who understand, and find a specialist to help you put a treatment plan together. Click the links below to discover just a few of the resources on nafc.org. Then take your time, settle in, and start exploring the rest of the site. No matter what bladder or bowel condition you’re here for, chances are we have something for you.
RELATED ARTICLES
From Postpartum to Postmenopause: The Conversations Women Need to Have
In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we’re joined by Dr. Barbara Frank of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with Alex Fennell, co-founder of Attn: Grace, an innovative manufacturer of incontinence products.
Together, we explore the realities of bladder leaks and pelvic floor health during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause, and we discuss why more women are finally beginning to talk more openly about their experiences.
The conversation covers:
• The connection between hormones, menopause and bladder leaks
• Why pelvic floor therapy is having a major moment
• The surprising relationship between pelvic floor tension and incontinence
• How products can impact skin health, comfort and UTIs
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy
• Why community and conversation matter so much in women’s health
Alex also shares the story behind Attn: Grace and the company’s mission to create cleaner, plant-based incontinence products designed to support women with comfort, dignity and confidence.
Whether you’re navigating postpartum recovery, menopause symptoms or simply looking to better understand pelvic health, this episode offers expert insights, practical advice and an encouraging reminder that no one should feel alone in these experiences.
Ask The Expert: From A Doctor’s Perspective What Are Some Common Questions You Hear?
If you’ve ever sneezed and held your breath hoping for the best, you’re not alone. Bladder leaks, pelvic floor issues, and the constellation of symptoms that go with them are incredibly common — and incredibly under-discussed. We sat down with two of our favorite experts who are changing the bladder leak conversation: Dr. Barbara Frank, Attn: Grace medical advisor and board certified OB/GYN, and Dr. Sara Reardon, pelvic floor physical therapist (and the woman your pelvic floor has been waiting to meet). They took turns asking each other the questions their patients ask most — and answered them with the same candor they bring to the exam room. They cover everything from how to prepare for postpartum, to what question to ask your own pelvic floor PT, to how to manage incontinence during menopause. This is a knowledge drop you don’t want to miss.
How Aging Changes Bladder Control — What Most People Don’t Expect
As an RN who’s worked in geriatrics for over 14 years, I know first hand that changes in bladder control can be a common part of aging. However, what I’ve also learned is that the treatment and management of these changes differ depending on whether they are due to aging or other conditions.
If you’re experiencing more frequent trips to the bathroom or sudden, intense urges to urinate, you might be wondering what is going on and what you can do about it. Let’s talk through some of the changes that might be going on in your body and how you can be better prepared to manage your bladder control.
From Postpartum to Postmenopause: The Conversations Women Need to Have
In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we’re joined by Dr. Barbara Frank of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with Alex Fennell, co-founder of Attn: Grace, an innovative manufacturer of incontinence products.
Together, we explore the realities of bladder leaks and pelvic floor health during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause, and we discuss why more women are finally beginning to talk more openly about their experiences.
The conversation covers:
• The connection between hormones, menopause and bladder leaks
• Why pelvic floor therapy is having a major moment
• The surprising relationship between pelvic floor tension and incontinence
• How products can impact skin health, comfort and UTIs
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy
• Why community and conversation matter so much in women’s health
Alex also shares the story behind Attn: Grace and the company’s mission to create cleaner, plant-based incontinence products designed to support women with comfort, dignity and confidence.
Whether you’re navigating postpartum recovery, menopause symptoms or simply looking to better understand pelvic health, this episode offers expert insights, practical advice and an encouraging reminder that no one should feel alone in these experiences.