Urinary incontinence in women from 35 to 79 years of age: prevalence and consequences.

We investigated the prevalence and the consequences of urinary incontinence in a group of 1299 women aged 35 to 79. Incontinence was present in 344 women (26.5%), in 5.9% the incontinence occurred at least once daily. The prevalence was highest in the younger age-groups and lowest between 65 and 69 years of age, thereafter it increased again. Almost half of the incontinent women used protective sanitary towels. In contrast to this, only 13.3% considered themselves handicapped by their symptoms, and only 28.2% had ever sought medical help, although the symptoms had been present for as long as 7.5 years on average. The major reason for not seeking medical help was that the symptoms were not considered to be so serious.