Psychological morbidity and female urinary incontinence

Female urinary incontinence is a common yet distressing condition. It affects women of all ages, but is especially common in the elderly. Its prevalence ranges from 15 to 55%, depending on age and population studied. Despite the ubiquity of female urinary incontinence, many incontinent women do not voice their suffering, and urinary incontinence has therefore been dubbed ‘the silent epidemic’. The physical impact and social isolation associated with urinary incontinence lead to impairment of quality of life and psychological well-being. It is the aim of this review to discuss the epidemiology and psychological impact of urinary incontinence. The recognition and management of incontinence-related psychological morbidity are also explored.