Yes, it is indeed an age-related problem. Usually stress urinary incontinence occurs in women when levels of oestrogen, the primary female sex hormone that helps the resistance of the supporting structure of the bladder, fall. Coughing, sneezing and straining increase the pressure on the bladder and the weakened sphincter can no longer resist.  At first it is not very noticeable, as it is usually only a drop, but with time the sphincter stretches further and the situation becomes worse. Urine remains in constant contact with the vagina and this causes irritation, itchiness and constant inflammation as well as making having a normal sex life difficult if not impossible...

Urinary incontinence following childbirth is a huge problem for young women. This type of incontinence is connected with the hormonal changes in the female body. During pregnancy pelvic organs are under immense pressure and pelvic floor gets overstretched. In most cases urinary incontinence after childbirth resolves itself, but sometimes the body simply does not have reserves to deal with it and restore to its normal function. Constant lifting and carrying of the child for the first year or their life may contribute to urinary incontinence after childbirth.
Another type of urinary incontinence is a so called imperative type. Unlike stress urinary incontinence, imperative urinary incontinence occurs in the presence of various bladder conditions such as interstitial cystitis, hyperactive bladder or innervation disturbance. In this case the female experiences a sudden urge to urinate and has to go to the toilet urgently. This is not always possible but she is unable to contain urine.