Incontinence

Overview

Mayo Clinic has great expertise and experience in treating incontinence in all its forms. Mayo Clinic specialists treat more than 10,000 patients each year for urinary and fecal incontinence. Specialists work together to arrive at the best treatment approach, aided by state-of-the-art technology for diagnosis and treatment.

Incontinence is the inability to control the passage of urine (urinary incontinence) or stool (fecal incontinence). Depending on the type of incontinence and its severity, symptoms can range from embarrassing urine leaks and dribbles to loss of control over bowel movements.

Stress urinary incontinence is the most common type, especially in older women, the elderly — both healthy and ill — and small children over age 5.

Incontinence can be a significant source of embarrassment and can lead people to withdraw from social life. People should seek treatment once symptoms appear, because help is available. In 80 percent of cases, treatment for urinary incontinence is completely successful or symptoms are significantly improved.

Read about Treatment of Urinary Incontinence.

Read about Treatment of Fecal Incontinence.