Did you know… What we know about urinary incontinence does not reflect peri-menopausal women’s experiences?

Urinary incontinence is a common condition affecting women’s physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. While a substantial body of research has examined prevalence, risk factors, and clinical management, the evidence base remains largely quantitative. To date, qualitative research exploring lived experience has been undertaken primarily in post-menopausal populations, highlighting the impact of stigma, daily management burden, and disruptions to quality of life. However, the peri-menopausal transition represents a distinct and dynamic phase of midlife, and a recent systematic review has identified a complete absence of qualitative studies in this group. This gap has important implications for clinical practice. Without an understanding of lived experience, care risks being misaligned with women’s needs, with potential impacts on help-seeking, engagement, and treatment outcomes. Evidence from other populations cannot be assumed to apply to peri-menopausal women, who may experience urinary incontinence within a unique physiological and psychosocial context. Addressing this gap is essential to support the development of person-centred continence care. Future research should prioritise qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to better understand how peri-menopausal women experience and manage urinary incontinence. Strengthening the evidence base in this way will enable more responsive, effective care and improved outcomes for women during this transitional stage of life.