Welcome to The Bladder and Bowel Foundation, (formerly Incontact and the Continence Foundation) the UK’s leading charity providing information and support for people with bladder and bowel control problems, their carers, families and healthcare professionals. 

There is a wealth of information on this site and you may find it useful to consider some of the following questions to help you find the section you need.

Do you leak when you cough, sneeze, exercise or laugh?

• You may have stress incontinence, also known as bladder weakness. See also pelvic floor exercises.

Do you have bladder control problems and have to hurry to the toilet and don't always make it in time? Or maybe you have to pass urine more often than you used to?

• You may have urge incontinence or frequency as a result of an overactive bladder. For men see also prostate.

Do you leak urine in your sleep or have to wake up more than twice a night?

• You may have a condition called nocturia or nocturnal enuresis.

Do you feel you can't empty your bladder completely or does your urine flow stop and start?

• This could be overflow, post micturition dribble or urinary retention. For men, see also prostate.

Do you have bowel problems including difficulty with bowel movement or bowel pain?

• See our section on bowels for information on healthy bowels, bowel complaints and how to treat and manage conditions.

Would you like to find out more about the treatments and incontinence products available to you?

• Within each specific symptom area you will find appropriate information on treatments, surgery and incontinence products and protection i.e. incontinence pads and pants.
• Alternatively see methods of mangement for information on products and catheters.

We would like to thank our Bladder and Bowel Working Groups who helped us to write, develop and clinically approve the bladder and bowel sections.