Several complications can occur as a result of urinary incontinence. These are explained below.
Day-to-day activities
Urinary incontinence can stop you doing normal, everyday activities. For example, you may not feel comfortable socialising, taking part in sports or group activities, or travelling long distances. This can mean your quality of life is affected.
Psychological effects
Urinary incontinence can affect you mentally. It can cause feelings of guilt, shame and low self-confidence. It can also cause depression, which is a serious mental health condition. See the Health A-Z topic about Depression for more information.
Working life
Urinary incontinence can have a negative impact on your work life. The feeling of needing to constantly urinate may affect your ability to concentrate, and you may need to get up from your desk to go to the toilet frequently. You may also feel very tired if your urinary incontinence continually disrupts your sleep.
Personal life
Urinary incontinence can often have a negative impact on your personal life. People close to you may find it difficult to understand your condition, and you may find it embarrassing as well as frustrating. You may avoid having sex due to the risk of urine leakage, which can affect your close personal relationships.
