NAFC's Annual Patient Surveys
Every year, NAFC conducts national surveys to better understand the real experiences, needs, and challenges of people living with bladder and bowel health conditions. These surveys help us identify trends, uncover gaps in care, and amplify the voices of individuals who are often overlooked or hesitant to speak up.
2025 Survey: Mental Health & Incontinence
NAFC’s latest national survey explores one of the most overlooked dimensions of bladder and bowel conditions: the profound impact on mental and emotional well-being. A 56-question survey was conducted with 330 respondents with who shared (multiple choice & open-ended) candid experiences about how incontinence affects their daily lives, including anxiety, depression, social isolation, sleep disruption, intimacy, confidence, and overall quality of life.
This report highlights critical connections between symptom severity, treatment engagement, coping behaviors, and emotional health. The findings reveal significant unmet needs and underscore the importance of whole-person care approaches in pelvic health.
Some of the key findings of the Mental Health & Incontinence Survey include:
1. Incontinence takes a serious toll on mental health
Over 90% of people living with incontinence report an impact on their mental health, and more than half describe that impact as moderate to significant. Feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and frustration are nearly universal.
2. Daily life is shaped by fear of leakage
Incontinence disrupts everyday activities including travel (92%), social life (89%), self-confidence (88%), and sleep (81%). Many respondents describe constant vigilance and planning as mentally exhausting.
3. Embarrassment remains a major barrier to care
While most respondents have spoken to a doctor, 15% have not. Among those who avoid medical care, embarrassment is the leading reason, cited by nearly half.
4. Many people suffer in silence
Nearly 70% of respondents actively hide their condition. About one-third report feeling emotionally unsupported by close family members or partners, reinforcing isolation and stigma.
5. Treatments often fall short emotionally and clinically
Fewer than half of respondents say their current treatment plan is effective. For many, treatment has not improved emotional well-being and, in some cases, has made frustration worse.
6. There is strong demand for better options and support
Frustration with existing treatments is driving interest in alternatives. Nearly three-quarters want to learn about additional treatment options, and many are actively seeking mental-health-focused educational resources.
For industry leaders, researchers, and healthcare partners, this survey offers a unique, patient-reported lens into the psychological burden of incontinence, an area essential to improving outcomes, guiding innovation, and shaping patient-centered solutions.
About The Surveys
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Trusted Partners receive comprehensive access to NAFC’s full survey data. Please enter the access code included in your Trusted Partner packet to view and download all reports.
Thank you to our Partners
We extend our sincere appreciation to the partners who have supported this research over the years. Their commitment to patient-centered insights helps make this work possible and drives meaningful progress in bladder and bowel health