Urinary Incontinence Devices Market

Urinary Incontinence Devices Market to Witness a Steady Growth Outlook

The Urinary Incontinence Devices Market is valued at USD 4.8  Bn in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 9.24  Bn,  growing at a CAGR of 10% by 2033. Urinary incontinence is a condition that can have a substantial impact on quality of life. Incontinence patients are typically treated by a wide range of health professionals according to a range of care pathways. The cost burden of managing urinary incontinence is ~US$20 Bn in the US alone and continues to go up. The demand urinary incontinence treatment is expected to grow steadily over the next five years due to rising geriatric population, an expanding obese population, growing diabetic population, increasing awareness about urinary incontinence, and improving patient-doctor engagement over urinary incontinence and related conditions. This will propel the sales of urinary incontinence devices in the global market.

Gender and Age Hold a Key Role in Determining Disease Types

In women, incontinence disease prevalence peaks around menopause, with a steady rise there-after into later life. Although the prevalence of stress and mixed (stress and urge) incontinence is higher than urge incontinence, the latter is more likely to require treatment. Severe incontinence has a low prevalence in young women but rapidly grows at ages >70. In men, the prevalence of incontinence is much lower vis-à-vis women, i.e., between 3 and 11%, and urge incontinence accounting for 40-80% of all male patients. Stress incontinence accounts for less than 10% of cases and is attributable to trauma, neurological injury, and prostate surgery. Even prevalence of severe incontinence in men at >70 years of age is about just half of that in women.

Favourable Demographics Drive Demand for Diagnosis and Treatment of Incontinence

Favourable demographics of populations at risk of urinary incontinence are driving long-term demand growth. Geriatric population suffering from urinary incontinence is on a constant rise. Moreover, growing prevalence of chronic conditions involving incontinence such as paralysis, neuromuscular injury, and kidney stones further fuel the market growth. Numerous factors such as weakening of pelvic floor muscles, urinary tract infection, urethral sphincters, and post-radical prostatectomy in men contribute towards development of urinary incontinence and similar symptoms. NICE suggests that 90% of men aged 50-80 years suffer from troublesome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Women are at the forefront of the issue. In women, apart from age, weaker bladder muscles, and pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and even excessive consumption of caffeine, tend to contribute to the causes of incontinence in recent years. In the US, it affects ~34% of women. A recent Gothenburg Continence Research Center study revealed that >423 million people suffered from urinary incontinence in 2018, of which ~72% were women.

Market Has a Significant Room for Expansion as Awareness Increases Gradually

Inadequate awareness of the incontinence diseases has been the key factor hindering the growth of the urinary incontinence devices market. Multiple studies have found that urinary incontinence is underreported in young women. Beyond the fact, ~50% of all women suffering from urinary incontinence and ~50% of all people aged >60years suffering from urinary incontinence have seemingly never discussed their problem with a physician. Urinary incontinence in some cases is also associated with poor psychological well-being. To realize demand and drive penetration, the stigma of adult incontinence needs to be overcome, which makes it necessary to develop awareness about the same across all age groups, genders, and classes. A recent study found that nearly 35% of consumers above 55 years of age are open to sharing their bladder issues with experts compared to 52% of consumers aged between 18 and 24 years, and around 56% of those aged 25-34 years. Various institutes spend approximately US$663 Mn yearly on overactive bladder marketing to increase the awareness of urinary incontinence.

Emerging economies such as China offer tremendous growth potential to the urinary incontinence devices market owing to the large population base along with modest penetration of the urinary incontinence devices. About 1/3^rd of women in China are dealing with some level of incontinence. In China, almost all incontinence products are designed for mainly targeting the elderly population. However, younger women are struggling with lighter bladder leakage (LBL) but can hardly find any appropriate products to use. Moreover, the ageing Chinese population is becoming a demographic crisis. The per capita expenditure of the elderly population in Asia Pacific remains one of the lowest in the world at just US$16. They also consider incontinence products are used as a last resort.

Urethral Slings Dominate the Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Market

Urethral slings, the gold standard procedure for treating stress urinary incontinence, has replaced most conventional procedures such as colposuspension and vaginal mesh. The dominant share of the segment can be attributed to remarkable sales of vaginal slings. A wide range of sling devices has been developed and is in widespread usage. Other popularly used devices in the urinary incontinence devices market include artificial urinary catheters, sphincters, and electrical stimulation devices.

Multiple Factors Continue to Influence Buying Decisions, Shaping Sales of Urinary Incontinence Devices

One of the primary factors involved in buying urinary incontinence devices is peer recommendation, especially in the category of beauty and personal care products. Other than peers, social media platforms like digital media influencers or user-generated content also impact the purchase behavior significantly. The rising demand for minimally invasive procedures and increasing technological advancements providing patients with varied options to choose from. There is a growing trend of developing diagnostic technologies and biofeedback devices smaller and more portable.

Companies Explore Multiple Levers to Drive Growth

The key companies in market are partnering with incontinence healthcare service providers to accelerate adoption of urinary incontinence devices and address large untapped patient bases. Diverse product pipelines, cross-sell/up-sell in existing accounts, and continued geographic expansion are a few more strategic imperatives for companies to succeed in the space. Some of the leading market players in the global urinary incontinence devices market are 

• Coloplast A/S
• Boston Scientific Corporation
• Braun Melsungen AG
• Hollister Incorporated
• ConvaTec Group PLC
• Medtronic plc
• Teleflex Incorporated
• R. Bard (now part of BD – Becton, Dickinson and Company)
• Cook Medical LLC
• Stryker Corporation
• Pfizer Inc.
• Mölnlycke Health Care AB
• Essity AB
• SCA (Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget)
• First Quality Enterprises, LLC

By Product Type

• Absorbents
  • Underwear & Briefs
  • Pads & Guards
  • Drip Collectors & Bed Protectors
• Non-Absorbents
  • Urethral Inserts
  • Slings
  • Catheters
  • Stimulation Devices
  • Drainage Bags
  • Others

By Gender

• Male
• Female

By Usage

• Reusable
• Disposable

By End User

• Hospitals & ASCs
• Clinics
• Homecare Settings
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa