How common it is, why it’s increasing, and what an aging population means for patients and families
Incontinence is often treated as something people should keep private, but the reality is that it’s extremely common, and it affects millions of Americans every day.
As our population ages, especially with Baby Boomers entering older adulthood, more people are living with bladder and bowel control problems. That means more patients seeking answers, more caregivers providing support, and greater impact on families and the healthcare system.
Understanding the numbers helps reduce stigma and reminds people that they are not alone and help is available.
How common is incontinence?
Urinary incontinence (UI) means the accidental loss of urine.
- More than 33 million Americans live with urinary incontinence or another bladder condition.
- About 54% of women ages 20 and older report urinary leakage within the past year
- About 15% of men report urinary incontinence
- Large national studies (NHANES) found similar results, with UI affecting:
- ~51% of women
- ~14% of men
Incontinence is common, but it is not a normal part of aging that must simply be accepted. Many causes can be evaluated and treated.
Has incontinence become more common over time?
Yes. Research shows that urinary incontinence has increased over the years in the United States.
An analysis of national health data found:
- In women, prevalence increased from 49.5% to 53.4%
- In men, prevalence increased from 11.5% to 15.1%
Experts believe this rise is linked to several factors, including:
- An aging population
- Higher rates of obesity and diabetes
- More people living with chronic conditions
Even though incontinence is often not discussed openly, national data clearly show that more adults are being affected over time.
What does the future look like?
There is no single number that predicts exactly how many people will develop incontinence because risk depends on many factors such as age, childbirth history, prostate health, medications, mobility, and chronic disease.
However, two major trends strongly suggest that the number of people affected will continue to grow.
The U.S. population is aging rapidly
According to the U.S. Census Bureau:
- The number of Americans age 65+ grew nearly 40% from 2010 to 2020
- By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be age 65 or older
- By 2050, the U.S. is projected to have over 80 million adults age 65+
Because bladder control problems become more common with age, this demographic shift alone means millions more people are likely to experience incontinence even if individual risk stays the same.
Costs are expected to increase
Studies from the U.S. and abroad show that as populations age:
- Incontinence-related healthcare costs rise
- Caregiver burden increases
- Out-of-pocket expenses grow
Research estimates:
- Overactive bladder cost the U.S. nearly $66 billion annually (2007 dollars)
- European models project continence-related costs reaching €100 billion by 2030, especially when caregiver time is included
While exact numbers differ by country, the trend is consistent worldwide:
aging populations lead to higher continence-related costs.
The real costs go beyond pads
Incontinence affects far more than product use alone.
Out-of-pocket expenses
Many people pay for:
- Absorbent products
- Skin protection supplies
- Laundry and bedding
- Mattress or furniture protection
One study found women with severe incontinence spent around $900 per year out of pocket, though costs vary widely.
Healthcare use
People with untreated or poorly managed incontinence often need:
- More doctor visits
- Medications or procedures
- Treatment for complications
This contributes to billions in annual healthcare spending.
Caregiver impact
Family caregivers may spend significant time helping with:
- Toileting
- Hygiene and skin care
- Laundry and nighttime assistance
When caregiver time is included, total economic impact rises substantially.
Independence and quality of life
Incontinence can affect:
- Sleep quality
- Skin health
- Fall risk
- Emotional well-being
- Ability to live independently
While it is rarely the only factor, incontinence can contribute to earlier need for assisted living or long-term care especially when combined with other health conditions.
Why Baby Boomers matter
Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964) represent one of the largest generations in U.S. history.
As this group ages:
- More people will seek evaluation and treatment
- More caregivers will be supporting bladder and bowel health
- Healthcare systems will face increased demand
Even if incontinence rates stayed the same by age group, the total number of people affected will rise simply because the older population is growing.
The takeaway
The data tells a clear story:
- Incontinence is very common
- Prevalence has increased over time
- The number of people affected will continue to grow as the population ages
- The impact extends beyond healthcare affecting families, caregivers, independence, and quality of life
Most importantly:
Incontinence is treatable.
No one should feel they must suffer in silence or manage symptoms without medical guidance.
Talking about bladder and bowel health and seeking evaluation can improve quality of life for millions of people.
References
National Institutes of Health / U.S. Government
- NIDDK – Urologic Diseases Research
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/urologic-diseases
U.S. Census Bureau
- Older Population and Aging
https://www.census.gov/topics/population/older-aging.html - By 2030, All Baby Boomers Will Be Age 65 or Older
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/12/by-2030-all-baby-boomers-will-be-age-65-or-older.html - Population Projections (2020–2060)
https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p25-1144.pdf
Peer-Reviewed Research
- Markland AD, et al. Prevalence and Trends of Urinary Incontinence in U.S. Adults
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3197263/ - “The Costs of Urinary Incontinence for Women”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1557394/ - Datar M, et al. Healthcare Resource Use and Cost Burden
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9542745/ - Ganz ML, et al. Economic Costs of Overactive Bladder in the U.S.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0090429509023115 - Campbell JD, et al. Economic Burden of Urgency Urinary Incontinence
https://www.jmcp.org/doi/10.18553/jmcp.2014.20.2.130 - Bishop C, et al. EU Economic Burden and 2030 Projections
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0302283825003240 - Population Reference Bureau — Aging in the U.S.
https://www.prb.org/resources/fact-sheet-aging-in-the-united-states/
