World Continence Week
June 15 - June 21
About World Continence Week
World Continence Week 2026 takes place from Monday 15 June to Sunday 21 June 2026. The week is a global awareness campaign led by the International Continence Society and supported by patient organisations, charities, and clinicians worldwide. It aims to break the silence around bladder and bowel conditions, encourage people to seek help, and improve the quality of care available to the estimated 400 million people who live with incontinence.
What is World Continence Week?
World Continence Week is an annual campaign coordinated by the International Continence Society (ICS) and the World Federation of Incontinent and Pelvic Patients (WFIPP). It is supported by national charities including Continence Health Australia, the UK’s Bladder and Bowel Community, and the Urology Foundation. The week is dedicated to raising public awareness of bladder and bowel issues, chronic pelvic pain, and related pelvic health conditions, and to giving people the confidence to talk about symptoms and seek treatment.
When is World Continence Week?
World Continence Week 2026 runs from Monday 15 June to Sunday 21 June 2026. The week is held annually in late June, typically in the third full week of the month. Each year the ICS announces a theme that frames the campaign’s communications and resources.
Why World Continence Week Matters
Incontinence is one of the most common health conditions in the world and one of the least talked about. The International Continence Society estimates that around 400 million people globally live with bladder or bowel symptoms, with roughly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 9 men experiencing urinary incontinence at some point in their lives. Many wait years before seeking help, often because of embarrassment or the mistaken belief that incontinence is an inevitable part of ageing or motherhood. Effective treatments exist for most types of incontinence, ranging from pelvic floor physiotherapy and medication to surgery, and the earlier people seek help the better the outcomes tend to be.
How to Get Involved in World Continence Week
You do not have to be a clinician or a patient to take part. Try one or several of the following:
- Speak openly about pelvic health – Mention bladder and bowel health in conversations with friends and family. Normalising the topic at home and at work makes it easier for people to ask for help.
- Practise pelvic floor exercises – Regular pelvic floor exercises help prevent and treat many forms of urinary incontinence. The NHS Squeezy app and Continence Health Australia’s Pelvic Floor First programme provide free guidance.
- See your GP or continence nurse – If you have symptoms, book an appointment. Continence services are available on the NHS in the UK and through primary care or pelvic health clinics in most countries.
- Support a continence charity – Donate to or fundraise for organisations such as the Bladder and Bowel Community, the Urology Foundation, or Continence Health Australia.
- Share trusted resources – Use social media to share information from the ICS, WFIPP, or your local continence charity rather than commercial product pages.
- Talk to your employer – Workplaces can support staff with toilet access policies, hybrid working options, and free hygiene products. Use the week as a prompt to raise the issue.
- Educate yourself on red flags – Blood in urine or stool, sudden changes in bladder habits, and persistent pelvic pain should never be ignored. Share these warning signs with people you care about.
History of World Continence Week
World Continence Week was founded by the International Continence Society, an academic organisation established in 1971 that brings together urologists, gynaecologists, physiotherapists, and nurses working in the field of pelvic health. The ICS launched the awareness week in the late 2000s as a way to translate clinical research into public-facing education.
The week is now coordinated jointly by the ICS and the World Federation of Incontinent and Pelvic Patients (WFIPP), a patient-led organisation. Each year a global theme is selected, with recent themes including “It’s Time to Take Pelvic Pain Seriously” and “Let’s Talk About Incontinence”. National charities adapt the theme to local audiences, producing campaigns, social content, and events that reach millions of people.
In Australia, Continence Health Australia (formerly the Continence Foundation of Australia) has run the country’s longest-standing public campaign during the week, including funded media buying and the popular Laugh Without Leaking initiative. In the UK, the Urology Foundation and Bladder and Bowel Community lead activity, while in the US many continence-focused brands and charities now mark the week alongside June’s National Bladder Health Month.
Noteworthy Facts About World Continence Week
- World Continence Week is led by the International Continence Society, a clinical and academic body founded in 1971.
- An estimated 400 million people worldwide live with some form of bladder or bowel incontinence.
- Around 1 in 3 women and 1 in 9 men will experience urinary incontinence at some point in their life.
- Pelvic floor exercises can reduce or eliminate symptoms in up to 70 percent of women with stress urinary incontinence when performed correctly and consistently.
- Despite high prevalence, surveys suggest people wait an average of 6.5 years before seeking professional help for incontinence symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Continence Week?
World Continence Week is an annual global awareness campaign coordinated by the International Continence Society. It aims to raise awareness of incontinence and pelvic health, and to encourage people to seek treatment.
When is World Continence Week in 2026?
World Continence Week 2026 runs from Monday 15 June to Sunday 21 June 2026.
Who organises World Continence Week?
The week is organised by the International Continence Society in partnership with the World Federation of Incontinent and Pelvic Patients, with national charities such as Continence Health Australia and the UK Bladder and Bowel Community leading local activity.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing World Continence Week with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #WorldContinenceWeek and #WCW2026 on social media. The more openly we talk about bladder and bowel health, the easier it becomes for people to seek help.
Related Awareness Days
- World Wellbeing Week – A complementary week running in late June focused on health and wellbeing in the workplace.
- Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week – Diabetes is a major risk factor for some forms of urinary incontinence.
- Viral Meningitis Awareness Week – Another important health awareness week run during the late spring and early summer.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
