If you’re experiencing bladder control problems, it’s actually more common than you think. Incontinence, which is the involuntary leakage of urine, is a condition that can affect people of all ages. Typically there is a higher rate of incontinence among older Australians, but seven in 10 people with incontinence are younger than 65 years old. [1]
Many factors, such as lifestyle choices and dietary habits, can contribute to the likelihood and severity of incontinence. Understanding the causes and taking steps to manage symptoms can make an immense difference in your quality of life.
Common dietary triggers:
- Caffeine: Often found in your morning coffee, tea and energy drinks, caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production. It can make the need to urinate more urgent and frequent, and over time can make it harder to hold on for long periods.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can lead to a loss of bladder control as it is also a diuretic. At the same time, alcohol relaxes the bladder muscles, making it more difficult to control the urge to urinate.
- Spicy foods: Food with chilli or heavy seasoning can irritate the bladder lining, and increase the likelihood of bladder contractions. This can cause sudden urges and bladder leakage.
- Citrus food and juices: The acidity of fruits and juices, such as oranges and lemons, can irritate the bladder, which can lead to the need to urinate more often.
- Carbonated beverages: Drinks such as soda and sparkling water can cause bloating and gas which can contribute to added pressure on the bladder. This can worsen incontinence symptoms, especially paired with other triggers [1].
Managing incontinence:
Stay hydrated: It’s important to stay hydrated with water to help manage incontinence symptoms. Proper hydration helps dilute the concentration of urine, making it less irritating to the bladder.
Limit triggers: Identifying dietary triggers that impact your bladder and reducing the intake of these can help to manage incontinence.
Incontinence pants: If you’re struggling with incontinence and bladder leakage, adult incontinence pants can be a discreet and reliable solution to help maintain confidence and comfort. TENA’s ProSkin Pants are made with soft and breathable material that has advanced moisture-reducing technology to ensure dryness, leakage security and odour control. The pants are easy to pull-on and help you go about your day care-free [2].
For more information about urinary incontinence symptoms and management, visit your local Blooms The Chemist for advice and recommendations.
References:
- Continence Health Australia - Key statistics on incontinence. Available from: https://www.continence.org.au/about-us/our-work/key-statistics-incontinence, accessed November 2025.
- Tena - Common Incontinence Triggers: Caffeine, Alcohol, and Other Irritants. Available from: https://tena.com.au/blogs/living-with-incontinence/common-incontinence-triggers-caffeine-alcohol-and-other-irritants, accessed November 2025.