While the exact cause varies depending on the type of bladder weakness, there are factors that increase a person's chance of experiencing the condition.

These factors include:

• Pregnancy and vaginal birth
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Family history
• Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting
• Age
• Medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, stroke, dementia, frequent bladder infections, constipation). In men, an enlarged prostate gland (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) can cause symptoms. As the prostate gets larger, it puts pressure on the bladder and the urethra, making it difficult to start urination or to empty the bladder fully. It can also lead to a sudden urge to urinate or the need to urinate frequently at night. BPH affects around 40 per cent of men over the age of 50 and 75 per cent of men in their 70s
• Neurological damage (e.g. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, brain injury)
• Certain medications (e.g. diuretics, ACE inhibitors, some antidepressants, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), sedatives).