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Basic information - Bladder function 

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The urinary system includes all the parts of the body that produce and store urine. 

How the urinary system works
Urine is produced in the kidneys, and flows from the kidneys into the bladder via the ureters. The bladder stores urine until the urethra carries it out of the body. This flow, from the bladder to the urethra, is controlled by the urethral sphincters, which open and close the bladder outlet. The sphincters, in turn, are controlled by the pelvic floor muscles. The healthy bladder expels urine in a controlled, usually voluntary fashion, and the average person urinates 4-8 times a day.

Bladder activity is regulated by the central and peripheral nervous systems. You feel the need to urinate when the stretch receptors in the bladder tell the brain that the bladder is full. However, with bladder dysfunction, you may not be able to inhibit the urge to pass urine. 

The female urinary system:

Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. There are different types of urinary incontinence, each with different causes and symptoms.

Neurogenic bladder refers to a condition affecting the nervous system where damage can lead to bladder dysfunction. This may mean that the bladder is unable to drain completely, sometimes referred to as overactive bladder or urinary retention.

How common is urinary incontinence?
Although the exact number of people affected by urinary incontinence is unknown (many people never visit a healthcare professional or discuss their symptoms), urinary incontinence is much more common than you might think.

Studies suggest that between 20%-50% of adult women are affected by urinary incontinence, many of whom live independent and active lives. Although urinary incontinence is less common in men, it still affects around 1 in 20 men aged 18 and above, and 1 in 10 men aged 60 and above.

Find out more
Read about the symptoms and treatments, or see the bladder problems FAQs.

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