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Early detection and prevention of urinary incontinence

Calm, clear and without embarrassment: why urine leakage happens, how to prevent it and when it's time to see a doctor. Our materials are based on international guidelines and research among women in Kazakhstan.

Take the short test How to prevent it

What to know

  • It's commonLeakage happens after childbirth, around menopause and at any other age. You are not alone.
  • It's a symptom, not "normal"You can and should talk to a doctor about it — there's nothing to be ashamed of.
  • Treatment often starts without surgeryPelvic floor exercises and changing habits help many women.

What is urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is any involuntary leakage of urine. Doctors distinguish three main types, and the type determines which treatment will work.

Stress

Leakage when coughing, sneezing, laughing, running or lifting — whenever pressure in the abdomen rises.

Urgency

A sudden, strong urge that's hard to hold; urine may leak on the way to the toilet.

Mixed

A combination of both. Treatment starts with the symptoms that bother you most.

More about types and symptoms →

Prevention and early detection

Many risk factors can be changed: weight, constipation, coughing, bladder habits. And the earlier the first symptoms are noticed, the easier they are to manage.

PreventionPrevention: what you can do nowWeight, constipation, fluid intake, caffeine and bladder habitsPreventionRisk factorsWhat raises the likelihood of incontinence — based on research in KazakhstanPregnancyPregnancy, birth and the pelvic floorHow to prepare for birth and recover afterwardsMyths and factsMyths and factsMisconceptions that keep women from seeking help for years

Short ICIQ-SF test

Four questions, about two minutes. The test shows how much symptoms affect your life, and you can print the result for your doctor. Your answers stay in your browser unless you choose to share them anonymously for research.

Take the test

The path to help

It usually starts with a conversation with your family doctor or gynaecologist. Here's what the path looks like.

  1. Notice symptomsLeakage, frequent or sudden urges, getting up at night to urinate.
  2. PrepareTake the test and keep a 3-day record of drinks and toilet visits.
  3. See a doctorA conversation, examination and urine test — no complex procedures at first.
  4. Get a planExercises, bladder training and, if needed, medicines.

For patients

BasicsWhat is urinary incontinenceHow the bladder works, why leakage happens and when to seek urgent careAssessmentHow assessment worksWhat the doctor will ask, why a bladder diary helps and which tests are neededTreatmentTreatmentExercises, bladder training, medicines and surgery — step by stepExercisesPelvic floor muscle trainingHow to find the right muscles and a 12-week plan

All patient materials →

For doctors

GuidelinesClinical guidelines: an overviewKey recommendations from international guidelines, adapted for primary careAssessmentInitial assessment pathwayHistory, diary, examination, tests and red flags for referralManagementManagement pathwayFirst line, drug treatment, follow-up and referral criteria

Section for doctors →

Research in Kazakhstan

Urinary incontinence in women in Kazakhstan is linked mainly to obstetric factors and excess weight — which means much of it can be prevented.

Based on a multicentre study of 2,061 women, IJERPH, 2026

The study included women from healthcare facilities across the country. The odds of incontinence were higher after vaginal and multiple births, after giving birth to a large baby and with a body mass index of 25 kg/m² or more. Quality of life was most affected by urgency incontinence.

More about the study →