In Australia, incontinence costs amount to 100 billion US dollars

“I just thought it was normal and a sign that I was putting too much strain on my body.”

But the then 18-year-old was one of the many athletes who suffered from this serious illness, which had lifelong consequences, long before pregnancy and birth.

Ten years later, after the birth of her first child, Mrs. Smith was diagnosed with a bladder prolapse.

Her incontinence worsened with each subsequent pregnancy until it became more persistent than the prolapse and interfered with her daily life.

“Incontinence can severely impact your mental and emotional health and limit your ability to participate in certain areas of life,” she said.

Former Australian Diamonds netball player Kimberley Smith has been diagnosed with a bladder prolapse. (HANDOUT/PROGRESSIVE PR & COMMUNICATIONS)

Although Ms. Smith now lives a fulfilling life after seeking help to manage her symptoms, she has had to change her lifestyle and accept that she can no longer exercise at the intensity she once enjoyed.

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine or stool due to a lack of bladder or bowel control.

Australia’s financial burden exceeded $100 billion in 2023, affecting around 7.2 million people, according to a report commissioned by the Continence Foundation of Australia.

About $66.6 billion was lost directly in health care costs related to the disease, while the loss of well-being, including lost work days, unemployment and the need for additional care and support, cost the country $33.8 billion.

There is an urgent need for comprehensive support, greater awareness and better treatment options for people affected by the disease, said Gian Sberna, executive director of the Continence Foundation of Australia, commenting on the findings.

“With the right support, we can improve the lives of millions of Australians and reduce the huge economic and social costs associated with incontinence,” Dr Sberna said.

Women are twice as likely to suffer from incontinence, but around 2.4 million people are men, with the vast majority of those affected being under 65 years of age.

Residents in rural areas and regions expressed concerns about access to services, while the report also noted that general health and elderly care staff lack the capacity to address this issue.

The report estimates that by 2032, about one in three Australians, or 8.6 million people, will be living with some form of incontinence.

The increase in incontinence cases is due to the ageing population, but also to the destigmatization of the disease, said pelvic floor physiotherapist Lyz Evans.

She believes that prevention and early intervention can help change the stigma surrounding the disease and that a greater focus on personalized treatment could lead to better outcomes.

“The effects of incontinence go far beyond the symptoms – it affects every aspect of a person’s life,” she said.

The Continence Foundation of Australia is calling on the Government to make greater efforts and investments to better identify, support and treat all Australians with incontinence problems.