Coffee & Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is about twice as common in women than men, and its likelihood rises with age.

A new study of 65,000 American women found that those with the highest caffeine intake - equivalent to four or more cups of coffee or ten cans of soda a day - were more likely to develop urinary incontinence over four years.

The study found no increased risk among women consuming about three cups of coffee or less per day.

In the most highly caffeine group, caffeine was particularly related to urge incontinence, a type where leakage happens after a sudden, strong urge to urinate.

The findings were reported in the Journal of Urology.