World Continence Week 2025

What is World Continence Week?

World Continence Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness of incontinence related issues.

It occurs in June and this year will run from 16th to 22nd June 2025.

Bladder leakage can affect anyone

This World Continence Week, we want people to know that bladder problems and continence issues are very common. The NHS estimates suggest 14 million people are living with bladder problems. That’s 1 in 5 people in the UK.

Download our guides

If you’re experiencing bladder leakage, we want you to know that help is available.

This World Continence Week we’re launching handy guides to bladder leakage to help you understand and manage your condition. All guides will be published soon – during World Continence Week – so check back throughout the week!

Are you a person who is experiencing bladder leakage? If so, this guide might help:

• Bladder Leakage – what you need to know DOWNLOAD HERE

Are you a woman who is experiencing urge incontinence? Download this guide:

• Urge incontinence: A guide for women DOWNLOAD HERE

If you’re a nurse who comes into contact with people who may be experiencing bladder issues, this guide is for you:

• Urinary incontinence: A Clinical Guide for Community and Practice Nurses DOWNLOAD HERE

Bladder leakage can have a huge impact

As an issue many people understandably may not wish to talk about, it can be a hidden condition. Many people are reluctant or embarrassed to discuss their toilet habits and often tolerate their symptoms. However, incontinence is a common condition and there are multiple ways to manage it. Therefore, it is important to consult the GP or healthcare professional to discuss treatment plans.

People experiencing urinary incontinence may experience feelings of isolation, if their condition restricts them from living life as they would like to, embarrassment, intimacy issues. It can impact relationships and even employment, if the person is not able to participate in their job as they used to. It can significantly lower self-esteem and lead to a loss of independence in some cases.

That’s why we’re calling for more investment in continence care across the UK.

UK continence in numbers

• • 1 in 5 people in the UK experience bladder problems (14 million people).
  • Incontinence can impact people of all ages and walks of life
  • Around 34% of women are living with urinary incontinence
  • Over 2 million men experience urinary incontinence
  • £233 million – estimated annual cost to the NHS
  • Patients with incontinence are at increased risk of hospital acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) and hospital acquired UTIs extends patients’ length of stay by six days
  • Over 50% of care home residents have urinary incontinence
  • Urinary incontinence is associated with falls, pressure ulcers, skin infections, social isolation and mental health issues
  • Incontinence is often a hidden problem

How we’re improving bladder health

The Urology Foundation funds innovative research into urinary incontinence and bladder issues. We provide funding to further our understanding and improve outcomes for patients.

Research into Botox that was funded by The Urology Foundation changed the international standard of care for managing overactive bladder (OAB) – see further details on the project HERE. As a result of this research, and further studies based off the initial research we funded, Botox now appears as standard of care in all international guidelines for managing OAB, meaning that millions of people across the globe have access to effective treatment for a debilitating condition.

Between 2020 and 2022, The Urology Foundation has funded three projects looking at continence issues:

• We provided funding to a research project that is looking at developing better materials for the pelvic floor by early detection of materials likely to promote fibrosis.
• We funded researchers looking at the development and validation of intra-urethral intra-operative pressure measurement system for optimal sling tensioning (for better surgical procedures).
• A research project we’re funding looked at promoting an understanding of pelvic mesh complications. We funded the development and validation of a condition-specific Patient Reported Outcome Measure (following the pelvic mesh scandal).

The Urology Foundation is keen to hear from those with ideas on improving practice in continence care

If you are a urology professional with an idea on how to improve practice in continence care, we provide grants to allow you to undertake the research needed. We provide a range of grants, more information can be found HERE .

A huge thank you to Convatec for supporting our campaign this World Continence Week.