Introduction According to the most recent definition of the International Continence Society (ICS), urinary incontinence (UI), a symptom of impaired storage, 'is the complaint of any involuntary leakage of urine' [1] . In each specific circumstance, UI should be further described by specifying its relevant factors, e.g. type, frequency, severity, precipitating factors, social impact, effect on hygiene and quality of life, the management of the leakage and whether or not the individual seeks or

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... esires help because of UI. UI is a prevalent, bothersome and costly condition, affecting primarily women. UI is not a lethal condition, but it deeply affects a woman's quality of life. The issue of UI has been well documented and there are national and international networks focusing on the condition. However, systematic, reliable and consistent data are lacking, particularly with regard to certain groups of the female population. Tackling inequalities in health and improving quality of life are listed as two of the overall aims of the Public Health Action Program. Undoubtedly, the symptom of UI is a common problem, thus factors affecting its prevalence are often sought by clinicians, health researchers and service planners to improve the management and treatment of those affected. Accurate prevalence data are difficult to retrieve from the epidemiologic UI literature, since there are striking differences among the studies in terms of methodologies, Key Words Childbirth ؒ Obstetric care ؒ Overactive urinary bladder ؒ Pelvic floor muscle training ؒ Pregnancy ؒ Urinary incontinence Abstract Objectives: A systematic review of the published data on the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of female urinary incontinence (UI) and obstetric treatment of UI in Europe. Data Sources: Epidemiologic studies were sought via PubMed to identify articles published in English, French, Spanish, German and Italian between 2000 and September 30, 2010, in Europe. Results: The prevalence of UI ranged from 14.1 to 68.8% and increased with increasing age. Significant risk factors for UI in pregnancy were maternal age 6 35 years and initial body mass index, a family history of UI and parity. UI in women who delivered 'at term' ranged from 26 to 40.2%, with a remission rate of 3 months after childbirth of up to 86.4%. Pelvic floor muscle training may help to prevent postpartum UI in primiparous women without UI during pregnancy. Conclusion: UI definition, outcome measures, survey methods and validation criteria are still heterogeneous, and thus it is difficult to compare data and impossible to draw definite conclusions.