A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop chronic urinary incontinence with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing urinary incontinence. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.

Although there are many different causes of incontinence, the risk factors listed here pertain to the most common types of incontinence.

Medical Conditions

The following conditions increase your risk of developing incontinence:

  • Childbirth (women)
  • Prostate enlargement or prostate surgery (men)
  • ]]>Dementia]]>

Age

The risk of incontinence generally increases with age.

Gender

Women are more likely to develop stress incontinence. Men are more likely to develop incontinence related to obstruction and over-filling.