Urinary incontinence risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Nasrin Nikravangolsefid, MD-MPH [2]

Common risk factors in the development of urinary incontinence include aging, family history of urinary incontinence, multiparity, vaginal delivery, menopause, obesity, pelvic organ prolapse and history of comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and osteoarthritis, neurologic disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, parkinson and cerebral palsy, history of urogenital surgeries, constipation, history of urinary tract infection, physical disabilities, high intake of alcohol, caffeine and some medications.

• Common risk factors in the development of urinary incontinence are^{[1][2][3][4][5]}:
  • increasing age
  • family history of urinary incontinence
  • menopause
  • number of pregnancy and childbirth in women
  • obesity or higher body mass index
  • type of delivery especially vaginal delivery
  • pelvic organ prolapse
  • history of comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • history of urogenital surgeries
  • history of urinary tract infection
  • neurologic disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, parkinson and cerebral palsy
  • constipation
  • osteoarthritis
  • some medications
  • high intake of alcohol and caffeine
  • physical disabilities
• Women with BMI <35 is associated with higher risk of developing stress urinary incontinence, whereas women with BMI ≥35 are at higher risk of mixed urinary incontinence. ^[2]
• Risk factors associated with postpartum urinary incontinence include^[6]:
  • history of urinary incontinence during pregnancy
  • multiparity
  • gestational age at birth ≥37 weeks
  • constipation