This review discusses the prevalence, risk factors, the impact on the quality of life and healthcare-seeking behavior of women suffering from urinary incontinence (UI) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in particular. UI is a common problem, affecting women in all age groups, and has devastating effects on their social, professional and family life. UI may be manifest as stress urinary continence (SUI), i.e. 'the complaint of involuntary leakage on effort or exertion, or on sneezing or coughing'. SUI is the most common form of UI, reported by approximately 50% of the incontinent women. Alternatively, patients may suffer from urge urinary incontinence (UUI), characterized by the 'complaint of involuntary leakage accompanied or immediately preceded by urgency'. This is reported by 10-20% of incontinent women. Patients having symptoms of both disorders may be afflicted by mixed urine incontinence (MUI), being reported by 30-40% of incontinent women. This complaint was recently included in the definitions as: 'Involuntary leakage associated with urgency and also with exertion, effort, sneezing or coughing'. Urodynamic studies show that the prevalence of SUI is underestimated when based on symptoms alone, as many patients with mixed symptoms have pure SUI during urodynamics. Although the etiology of SUI is still poorly understood, among the main risk factors are age, pregnancy, childbirth and obesity. Unfortunately, the majority of the patients suffering UI postpones looking for medical help for years, or may even never consult a physician regarding their problem, despite the considerable negative impact on their quality of life. Feelings of shame and embarrassment play an important role in this, in combination with the common belief that UI is a normal and inevitable consequence of the aging process. Clearly, there is still a long way to go in making patients and society aware of the fact that UI is a disorder, which can and should be treated. Consequently, patients must be encouraged to report their problem, while health care providers should raise the issue on routine exams in risk groups.