BLADDER HEALTH AT ANY AGE
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
Receive custom tools to help you manage your condition and get the latest in bladder and bowel health from NAFC!
BLADDER HEALTH AT ANY AGE
While most of us have heard at one time or another that incontinence is something that simply happens as you get older and go through the different stages of life, the relationship between age, experience, and incontinence is more complicated than that.
The first thing we should all understand is that incontinence is not inevitable, and it’s not something you should simply accept because you’ve given birth, gone through menopause, or reached your golden years.
However, we also know that some of these events can all be contributing factors where incontinence is concerned. For example, in the same way that the lens in your eye can lose its ability to focus on close-up objects as you get older, the muscles in your pelvic floor that contribute to bladder control can weaken as time goes on. While there isn’t always much you can do to improve your changing eyesight on your own, there are things that you can do at any age to help prevent incontinence, control your symptoms, and live a fuller life.
The following sections will show what you can do to prevent bladder leaks, and also introduce you to some of the primary life stages that are often associated with incontinence.
RELATED ARTICLES

How To Talk To Your Partner About Incontinence
If your partner is experiencing incontinence, you might suddenly feel like you are in uncharted territory. Incontinence is both a physical condition and a lifestyle change.
Intellectually, we understand that incontinence is a medical condition outside of our control. Emotionally, however, it’s a different story. Losing the ability to fully control our bladder and bowels – a skill gained in early childhood – can bring with it intense feelings of shame, embarrassment, anger and denial. For those in a partnership, incontinence also brings fear of loss of sexual attraction, and sometimes fear of diminished affection.

You DON’T have to leak after prostate cancer treatment
In this episode, Dr. Eric Rovner addresses a common fear that men have about prostate cancer treatment: incontinence. Drawing on his clinical experience, Dr. Rovner explains that treatment does not automatically mean a lifetime of bladder leakage. In fact, only a small percentage of patients experience long-lasting symptoms. He discusses why temporary changes in bladder control can occur, what factors influence recovery and – most importantly – what men can do before and after treatment to reduce their risk and regain control. Our conversation offers clarity, reassurance and actionable guidance for men navigating prostate cancer care.

Ask The Expert: Why Do I Experience More Incontinence at Night Than During the Day?
Many people notice that bladder control feels more difficult at night than during the day. Nighttime incontinence, also called nocturia, common experience for adults of many ages and health backgrounds. While it can feel frustrating or even isolating, it is important to know that this situation is more common than many people realize. Nighttime symptoms can feel especially challenging because they interrupt sleep, affect comfort, and may create worry about leaks while resting. Understanding why nighttime incontinence happens and what can help manage it can make a meaningful difference in both sleep quality and confidence. Understanding Nighttime Incontinence Nighttime incontinence refers to unintentional urine leakage that occurs while sleeping. It can show up in several ways, including waking frequently to urinate, bedwetting, or leaking during sleep without waking. These experiences are often connected to normal changes in the body during rest. During the day, the body is more alert to bladder signals, and muscles are actively engaged in maintaining control. At night, several natural processes shift, which can increase the likelihood of leaks for some individuals.

Will Medicaid Cover My Incontinence Products?
Janet Firestone, the National Medicaid account executive for Tranquility shares insights as she has been working directly with Medicaid recipients and care coordinators, navigating the Medicaid process to determine coverage and connecting them with authorized suppliers to help them get the incontinence products they need.