The International Continence Society (ICS) is a membership society aimed at medical professionals working in or with an interest in the field of incontinence. ICS provides education and activities that advance the sciences concerned with urinary tract, bowel and pelvic floor dysfunction including: urology, neurourology, urogynaecology and urodynamics. The Society promotes research into the causes of, prevention of and remedies for incontinence and provides access to the results of that research via website, email, print journal, newsletters, presentations at annual congresses and educational courses. The Society also works to standardise the terminology and guidelines surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of both urinary and faecal incontinence.
History of the ICS
The ICS was founded in 1971 by Eric Glen under the name of the “Continent Club” and held its first annual meeting the same year in Exeter, UK. In 1998, the Society was set up as a UK Charity under the guidance of Paul Abrams. It now boasts a membership of around 3,000 members from 70 different countries. The ICS emphasises the multi-disciplinary approach toward incontinence issues with membership derived from numerous different disciplines including: geriatrics, surgery, nursing, urology, physiotherapy, gynaecology, pharmacology and research/science. Since 1971, the Society has gone on to publish numerous state-of-the-art reports, retaining the copyrights and thereby enabling publication in a range of international journals. This broad dissemination of information highlights a primary mission of the organisation.
A review of ICS’ functions and governing laws was undertaken from 2006-2008. At the ICS Annual Meeting in Cairo in 2008, members overwhelmingly approved the new Bylaws and Articles of Association. These documents saw the creation of a new Board of Trustees to govern all aspects of ICS activity. Day to day society tasks and procedures are managed by four office staff situated at the ICS headquarters in Bristol, UK. There are also numerous committees dedicated to various projects that ensure the Society’s charitable objectives are supported.
ICS membership
ICS annual membership is available from just £80 a year and includes these benefits:
Education
- ICS Annual Meeting
- Receive a significant discount on the annual meeting registration fee.
- ICS eLearning NEW FOR 2024!
- Earn EACCME® credits in urodynamics courses
- ICS TV
- Access world-class educational content from international experts.
- ICS Standards 2024
- A collection of all the major scientific papers from ICS.
Advancing your career
- Journal Submission
- Discounted submissions to our world-renowned scientific journals, Continence and Continence Reports (Free until July 2025!).
- ICS Observerships
- Apply to international centres of excellence for research, clinical practice, and education.
- Represent ICS
- Participate in worldwide ICS events as an official ICS speaker.
Communication & Collaboration
- ICS Members Directory
- Connect with ICS members around the world.
- Join an ICS Committee
- Contribute to the achievements of the society.
- Have your say
- Elect committee chairs and make policy decisions at annual ICS elections.
- Researcher database
- Become a part of a research team with your peers.
We would love to have you back for another year, with a membership renewal starting at just £80!
Renew your membership
Welcome back, we thank you for being one of over 3,000 ICS members in our thriving society. It is your contribution to the society that keeps us growing, educating and making a real difference to the lives of people suffering from incontinence worldwide.
ICS Affiliate Membership
Any international, national, or regional organisation that has a focus or interest in the field of incontinence may apply for affiliation with ICS. As the only international multi-disciplinary society that focuses on incontinence, the ICS seeks affiliation with other organisations in order to enhance the management of incontinence care.
ICS Affiliate Membership programme
ICS Annual Meeting
The founding members of the ICS decided that the Society should meet annually with a different meeting chair and venue each year. This site is selected by members’ ballot four years in advance of the meeting date. Today, the annual meeting remains one of the most valued dates on the urological and gynaecological calendars, attracting in excess of 3,000 delegates from all corners of the globe.
Future and past ICS Annual Meetings
ICS Education courses
The ICS also delivers and contributes to educational courses around the world. These courses are primarily aimed at junior physicians and medical trainees and are priced accordingly.
Future and past ICS Education Courses