The Link Between Menopause and Urinary Incontinence

PhysioMatters
Oct 10
3 min read

Let’s be honest, menopause comes with enough changes without your bladder joining in on the fun. But for many women, urinary incontinence (UI) makes an unwelcome appearance during this stage of life. The good news is: You’re not alone, and you don’t have to just live with it.

What is urinary incontinence, and why does it show up around menopause?

Urinary incontinence means losing bladder control, those unexpected leaks when you laugh, sneeze, exercise, or suddenly have to rush to the loo. Around menopause, dropping oestrogen levels affect the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. They lose some of their strength and elasticity, making leakage more likely.

It’s surprisingly common. In a study covering healthy Singaporean women aged 45–69, 52.3% reported some form of urinary incontinence. The most frequent types were mixed incontinence (MUI) and stress incontinence (SUI), each affecting around 20% of women (Ng et al., 2020).

The main types of incontinence linked to menopause:

Stress Incontinence: Leaks when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting.
Urge Incontinence (Overactive Bladder): A sudden, overwhelming need to go, sometimes with little warning.
Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urge symptoms.
Overflow Incontinence: Less common, but happens when the bladder doesn’t empty fully and dribbles later.

Why menopause affects your bladder?

Hormone changes: Less oestrogen means the bladder and urethra lining can weaken.
Pelvic floor weakness: Muscles may lose tone, especially after childbirth.
Bladder changes: The bladder itself becomes less stretchy with age.
Other factors: Weight gain, smoking, and health conditions like diabetes can all make things worse.

Is urinary incontinence just part of getting older?

Nope! While menopause increases the risk, incontinence isn’t inevitable. With the right approach, many women improve significantly, and some see their symptoms disappear altogether.

When to seek help?

It’s worth checking in with your GP, gynaecologist, or women’s health physiotherapist if:

Leaks are happening regularly.
You notice sudden changes in bladder habits.
There’s blood in your urine or pain when you go.
It’s affecting your quality of life, confidence, or sleep.

Don’t wait until it gets worse, getting support early often leads to better results.

How can physiotherapy help?

At PhysioMatters, we know bladder issues can feel awkward to talk about, but we promise you’re not alone. Our women’s health physiotherapists provide discreet, supportive care to help you feel back in control.

During your first visit, we’ll chat about your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history, followed by a pelvic floor and core assessment if appropriate. From there, we’ll create a tailored treatment plan that suits your needs and goals.

What treatments are available for urinary incontinence?

Treatment often depends on the type of incontinence and your lifestyle, but common options include:

Pelvic floor muscle training (Kegel exercises)
Bladder retraining programmes
Lifestyle changes (diet, fluid intake, exercise, weight management)
Medication
Topical oestrogen
Surgery (usually only if other treatments haven’t worked)

Your doctor or physiotherapist can guide you on which of these is best suited for your situation.

Everyday tips that may help

Stay hydrated, oddly enough, drinking too little irritates the bladder.
Cut back on caffeine and fizzy drinks.
Quit smoking as it weakens tissue and irritates the bladder.
Try low-impact exercise like Pilates, swimming, or walking.
Strengthen your pelvic floor regularly.
Keeping a healthy weight.

The bottom line

Urinary incontinence around menopause is common, but it’s not something you have to live with. Whether it’s a few drops when you sneeze or more frequent urges that disrupt your day, help is available. The earlier you take action, the better the results.

Ready to Take Control?

At PhysioMatters Clinic, we’re here to help you manage leaks with confidence and ease. Our expert physiotherapists will work with you on a personalised plan to get your bladder back under control.

Book your confidential assessment today, because menopause may change many things, but your confidence shouldn’t be one of them.