If you lose urine when you don't want to (involuntary leakage of urine), you are affected by Urinary Incontinence.

You are not alone. It is estimated that several million women in Canada suffer some form of Urinary Incontinence. Many women suffer in silence because they are embarrassed to talk about their symptoms. For some, the risk of public embarrassment keeps them from enjoying activities with their family and friends, and can interfere with work. Urine loss can also occur during sexual activity - causing emotional stress. Urinary Incontinence can be devastating psychologically, socially, emotionally and physically with the added financial burden related to laundry, padding and medication.

Although distressing, Urinary Incontinence is not a character flaw or a personal failure. It is a medical symptom that deserves attention like any other medical problem.

Because of embarrassment, many women suffering from Urinary Incontinence or bladder problems do not know what help is available to them and where to get it. Treatment is available. The right treatment for you will depend on the type of urinary incontinence you have, its severity and its underlying cause.

The most common types of Urinary Incontinence are:

• Stress Incontinence
• Urge Incontinence / Overactive Bladder
• Mixed Incontinence