Urinary incontinence can happen to anyone, but it becomes more common with age (people after 65). Women experience incontinence twice as often as men.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence:

Genetic disorders, surgical operations, injuries to the pelvis and the spine, neurological causes, infections, aging. Incontinence in women can also occur after childbirth or during menopause.

Childbirth

Childbirth is one of the most important causes of urinary incontinence. When a baby is born, the muscles of the pelvic floor stretch and weaken. The muscles are no longer able to exert the necessary pressure to keep the urethra closed; whenever extra pressure is applied (e.g. running, coughing, laughing) a quantity of urine leaks.

Hormonal changes during the menopause

The hormonal changes that happen at the start of the menopause, especially the decrease in oestrogen levels, cause episodes of urinary incontinence. Respite  this, scientific studies have not yet been able to prove that incontinence may be caused by hormonal disorders alone. The low levels of oestrogens, however, increase the risk of urinary incontinence due to changes in the vaginal wall.