Incontinence is the accidental release of urine or stool. You may not be able to reach the toilet in time. This is a common problem, especially among older adults.

For many people, the loss of bladder or bowel control can be hard to cope with. It can cause a lot of different emotions. Feeling sad, embarrassed, or anxious is common. Or you may feel annoyed or frustrated. It may also lead to lower self-confidence.

Incontinence may get in the way of your daily life. You might leave your house less often to avoid having an accident in public. You may also avoid doing things you enjoy, like exercise or hobbies. For some people it affects their relationships and their sex life.

If you have incontinence, there are things you can do to improve your symptoms and your quality of life. Here are some tips that can help.

• Find a doctor you can trust and feel comfortable with. Try to be open and honest with your doctor about your symptoms. Together, you can find treatments that can help.
• Work with your doctor to create a treatment plan. Your plan may include things like pelvic floor exercises, changes to your diet, medicines, bladder or bowel training, and continence products. Finding ways to manage your symptoms can help you feel better and give you confidence to do the things you enjoy.
• Consider going to counseling. You can ask your doctor for a referral. Your counselor can give you tools for managing emotions.
• Talk to someone you can trust, such as a close friend or family member. Let them know how they can support you. They could be a safe person to talk to about your feelings or struggles. They could also help plan outings.
• Try to keep going out and doing the things you enjoy. Planning ahead can help. You could carry extra protection, such as disposable pads or underwear. If you are with friends or family, let them know you might need frequent bathroom stops.
• Join a support group. Talking to others who have incontinence can help you feel less alone.
• Ask your doctor or counselor for resources to learn more about managing incontinence. You can also go online to nafc.org for resources from the National Association for Continence.