Incontinence affects more of us than you might think, but unfortunately still carries a lot of shame and stigma in today's society. We believe it's time to put an end to this which is why we’ve teamed up with Dr Zoe Williams and Ashley James to help lead our End Bladder Shame campaign;sharing their own bladder leak experiences and treatment methods, and helping others know that they are not alone.
Ashley James and Dr Zoe Williams join the mission
93% of Brits admit they are too self-conscious when it comes to talking about health issues
Incontinence is so much more than just a health issue. The social stigma attached to it means that millions of people are living with health issues that could be entirely treatable, because they’re embarrassed to talk about it.
This needs to change.
That’s why we’re pledging to end bladder shame, now.
Ashley said:
"Incontinence shouldn't be a taboo subject as it's so normal and so common. Especially after having children as our pelvic floor recovers. As a mum of two, I can unashamedly admit that I’ve experienced incontinence. When it first happened, it really filled me with a sense of embarrassment and shame. This is a completely normal reaction, but it shouldn't be that way. There's a real stigma around talking about incontinence, which is most definitely not normal. That is why I’m standing with TENA, and everyone who has previously suffered from bladder leaks incontinence, on this mission to end bladder shame. The more we talk about these things the more it helps others realise there is nothing to be ashamed of."
Zoe said:
“Incontinence affects almost a quarter of the population, so you’re not alone if you find yourself suffering. What’s concerning is that the vast majority of Brits will avoid seeing a doctor in case of bad news. However, seeing a doctor can not only give you peace of mind, but it can also help put you on the right road to recovery.
75% of Brits we surveyed believe age is the main reason for incontinence, but there’s actually a whole host of reasons someone could be experiencing the problem, some of which are entirely avoidable with a few lifestyle changes. Losing weight, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol and completing pelvic floor exercises, are all great ways to ease symptoms.”
Doctor Zoe Williams has shared some advice from easy-to-follow steps that can help train your pelvic floor muscles to key questions to ask a health professional, find out more here.
Speaking out about bladder shame
Two-thirds of us say that we'd be too ashamed to tell family and friends about bladder sensitivity, which is why we're determined to help people who experience incontinence. To do this, we've committed to creating a safe space for open conversation - by sharing real-life, authentic incontinence stories - and hopefully, ending any embarrassment or bladder shame.
Ground-breaking new research
We’ve surveyed the nation and discovered shocking findings about how many people live with shame about their incontinence.
We surveyed over 2000 people and found that 65% are living with a health condition that could be easily treatable, but are hoping it’ll “sort itself out.” Brits in particular feel too self-conscious to talk about incontinence. In fact, only half of sufferers would feel comfortable talking to their doctor about the common issue.
This refusal to talk to a doctor however doesn’t hide the problem, it creates more of them, with 41% admitting to feeling frightened, ashamed (36%) and lonely (24%) by keeping their medical issues under wraps.
