"If you’re going out to eat, the first thing you do not look at is the menu; you look for where the toilets are ... it rules your life.”
“You have a drink and then you laugh and it’s like: ‘I can’t get up off this chair in case I have a damp patch.”
“I’d always dress in black clothes and have long coats and cardigans. I’d carry a spare set of clothes wherever I went ... even stuff like sneezing and laughing, I would say: ‘Oh no, I need to control it because I’ll just have an accident.”
“The first thing I do in the supermarket is go to the loo – just to avoid anything happening – and then I do it again when I come home an hour later. So I am planning my day around toilet breaks.”
“You don’t want to talk about it because you think: ‘I’ve just become 60 all of a sudden and I don’t want to speak to my 20-30 year old pals about something I think affects 60-year-old women.”
These are just some of the testimonies of women – ranging from young mums to the young at heart – who agreed to share their stories as part of a new campaign to shatter the silence around sensitive bladder or adult incontinence (AI), as new research shows how limiting – and lonely – the condition can be.
One in three
While one in three women over 18 suffers from sensitive bladder, a survey by Always Discreet – a product range developed especially for AI – showed that many of them suffer in silence, despite the huge impact it has on everything from their self-confidence to style.
“There are women for whom running upstairs is not an option. Laughing is not an option,” says Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Always Discreet ambassador.
While there are several different types of AI, the two most common are stress incontinence – women who leak a little urine when they cough, laugh or move suddenly – and urge incontinence, where women have an urgent need to empty their bladder due to incorrect signals from the brain.
All ages
However, while the problem is often associated with old age, the reality is that it can affect women of all ages with common causes including pregnancy, childbirth and the menopause.
“Childbirth is often the trigger because it puts so much strain on the pelvic floor,” explains Dr Jarvis.
“Menopause is another trigger, and you’ll often find that women are tipped over the edge to go to the doctor because they’ve been living with it for years. But when menopause comes, things get worse. The reason things get worse is that the tissues of the pelvic floor get less springy because there is less oestrogen around.”
However, despite how common the condition can be, the research actually revealed three in four women hold back from discussing it with their doctors – but according to Dr Jarvis, the first thing she tells any patient is that there is no need to be ashamed.
“You may be embarrassed; but I’m not, because I deal with this all the time,’” she says. “In fact, I’m relieved, because there’s so much help we can offer.”
For example, for stress incontinence, pelvic floor exercises can be a great help, if practiced correctly and regularly, with referral to a specialist physiotherapist for guidance, if necessary, while for urge incontinence, “bladder re-training” is also effective.
“It’s teaching your brain not to misinterpret the signals from your bladder and teaching your bladder not to send those signals, as it were,” says Dr Jarvis, who explains that by gradually extending the time between bathroom breaks – for instance, going to the toilet every 35 minutes if you normally go every 30 minutes, you can build both capacity and confidence.
The correct products
Another issue that Dr Jarvis encounters is that two-thirds of women are not using products designed for sensitive bladders, with many trying to cope instead by using sanitary products, and so also have the added worry of leaks, discomfort and odour.
“Sanitary products are meant to hold blood; they are not meant to hold urine,” says Dr Jarvis, explaining that, in contrast, the Always Discreet range – which ranges from liners to pants, depending on the protection required – has been specifically designed for AI.
However, in a bid to get more women talking about AI, Always Discreet recently launched a campaign with real women sharing their stories on www.alwaysdiscreetstories.co.uk And according to Dr Sarah Jarvis, encouraging women to talk about sensitive bladder is really the first step to shattering the stigma and seeking help.
“I really think this is the last taboo,” she says.
Dr Sarah Jarvis’ Tips For Taking Care Of Your Sensitive Bladder
1. IT’S GOOD TO TALK: If you feel too embarrassed to speak to a loved one then set up an appointment with your GP. You are not alone and there is help available.2. Set A Schedule: Your bladder is trainable. If you’re troubled by needing to pass water very often and needing to rush to the toilet, talk with your doctor about a daily schedule to build up your bladder’s holding capacity. Remember; allow your bladder to empty completely each time you go to the toilet.3. Drink Just Enough: There’s no need to avoid drinking in order to reduce the urge to visit the bathroom. Limiting your water intake makes your urine more concentrated, which boost your chances of bladder irritation. Keep hydrated.4. Bye, Bye Barista: Caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks could be your new worst enemies – they can irritate a sensitive bladder. Everyone with sensitive bladder could benefit from cutting down on alcohol. If your symptoms include needing to rush to the loo, try limiting those coffees, teas and carbonated beverages for a week or two to see if it helps.5. Relax: If you experience anxiety because of your sensitive bladder, mental relaxation can be a very valuable aid. Deliberately include activities in your daily life that bring you pleasure; for example meeting friends, going to the cinema or taking a walk.Startling Statistics
42% of women with frequent bladder leaks agree the condition makes them feel older than their age.41% believe that their condition affects their general happiness.41% do not feel confident being in a new place they do not know, with 34% seeking out the nearest bathroom or toilet first, before finding their bearings.One in three does not feel confident travelling long distances.42% reported feeling less attractive or feminine.35% do not feel confidence in an intimate situation.44% lack the confidence to wear the clothes they want to wearYet ... three out of four women still hold back from talking to their healthcare professional about urinary incontinence.– Source: Always Discreet
Discreet help
The Always Discreet range includes liners, light pads, moderate pads and pants /underwear, depending on the level of protection required and has been designed with comfort, odour neutralisation and discretion in mind. For further information, www.alwaysdiscreet.co.uk
Why a sensitive bladder should not break your stride
In the survey by Always Discreet, one in three (37%) of respondents said they would exercise more if they did not have sensitive bladder, with anecdotal evidence revealing that everything from a star jump in an aerobics class to running up the stairs left them fearing leaks. However, Body Control Pilates founder Lynne Robinson – described by Sophie Dahl as “the high priestess of Pilates” – believes that by choosing low-impact activities and working on your pelvic floor, sensitive bladder does not have to break your stride.
Here are her tips to staying
active with AI:
1. Keep Moving
Pilates, yoga, cycling, tai chi, brisk and Nordic walking are all great low-impact activities that will keep you fit.
2. Avoid The Crunches
Strong abdominal exercises can put too much pressure on your pelvic floor. Opt for gentler core exercises instead, to keep your abdominals in shape.
3. Do Your Pelvic Floor
Exercises Daily
By practicing at least three times a day, these exercises can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and give you more control when you need it. If you’re not sure how to do them, speak to your doctor or visit www.alwaysdiscreet.co.uk
4. Walk, Stand, Sit Tall
Be aware of your posture while you exercise and go about your daily activities. Slouching inhibits your deep core muscles from working properly.
5. Breathe Better
Learn to breathe more efficiently with Pilates or yoga. Never hold your breath while exercising, as this puts pressure on your pelvic floor.
6. Lift Carefully
We perform many of our daily activities without consciously thinking about our movements. Stand square and close, bend from your knees and hips, keeping your back straight.
"If you’re going out to eat, the first thing you do not look at is the menu; you look for where the toilets are ... it rules your life.”
“You have a drink and then you laugh and it’s like: ‘I can’t get up off this chair in case I have a damp patch.”
“I’d always dress in black clothes and have long coats and cardigans. I’d carry a spare set of clothes wherever I went ... even stuff like sneezing and laughing, I would say: ‘Oh no, I need to control it because I’ll just have an accident.”
“The first thing I do in the supermarket is go to the loo – just to avoid anything happening – and then I do it again when I come home an hour later. So I am planning my day around toilet breaks.”
“You don’t want to talk about it because you think: ‘I’ve just become 60 all of a sudden and I don’t want to speak to my 20-30 year old pals about something I think affects 60-year-old women.”
These are just some of the testimonies of women – ranging from young mums to the young at heart – who agreed to share their stories as part of a new campaign to shatter the silence around sensitive bladder or adult incontinence (AI), as new research shows how limiting – and lonely – the condition can be.
One in three
While one in three women over 18 suffers from sensitive bladder, a survey by Always Discreet – a product range developed especially for AI – showed that many of them suffer in silence, despite the huge impact it has on everything from their self-confidence to style.
“There are women for whom running upstairs is not an option. Laughing is not an option,” says Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Always Discreet ambassador.
While there are several different types of AI, the two most common are stress incontinence – women who leak a little urine when they cough, laugh or move suddenly – and urge incontinence, where women have an urgent need to empty their bladder due to incorrect signals from the brain.
All ages
However, while the problem is often associated with old age, the reality is that it can affect women of all ages with common causes including pregnancy, childbirth and the menopause.
“Childbirth is often the trigger because it puts so much strain on the pelvic floor,” explains Dr Jarvis.
“Menopause is another trigger, and you’ll often find that women are tipped over the edge to go to the doctor because they’ve been living with it for years. But when menopause comes, things get worse. The reason things get worse is that the tissues of the pelvic floor get less springy because there is less oestrogen around.”
However, despite how common the condition can be, the research actually revealed three in four women hold back from discussing it with their doctors – but according to Dr Jarvis, the first thing she tells any patient is that there is no need to be ashamed.
“You may be embarrassed; but I’m not, because I deal with this all the time,’” she says. “In fact, I’m relieved, because there’s so much help we can offer.”
For example, for stress incontinence, pelvic floor exercises can be a great help, if practiced correctly and regularly, with referral to a specialist physiotherapist for guidance, if necessary, while for urge incontinence, “bladder re-training” is also effective.
“It’s teaching your brain not to misinterpret the signals from your bladder and teaching your bladder not to send those signals, as it were,” says Dr Jarvis, who explains that by gradually extending the time between bathroom breaks – for instance, going to the toilet every 35 minutes if you normally go every 30 minutes, you can build both capacity and confidence.
The correct products
Another issue that Dr Jarvis encounters is that two-thirds of women are not using products designed for sensitive bladders, with many trying to cope instead by using sanitary products, and so also have the added worry of leaks, discomfort and odour.
“Sanitary products are meant to hold blood; they are not meant to hold urine,” says Dr Jarvis, explaining that, in contrast, the Always Discreet range – which ranges from liners to pants, depending on the protection required – has been specifically designed for AI.
However, in a bid to get more women talking about AI, Always Discreet recently launched a campaign with real women sharing their stories on www.alwaysdiscreetstories.co.uk And according to Dr Sarah Jarvis, encouraging women to talk about sensitive bladder is really the first step to shattering the stigma and seeking help.
“I really think this is the last taboo,” she says.
Dr Sarah Jarvis’ Tips For Taking Care Of Your Sensitive Bladder
1. IT’S GOOD TO TALK: If you feel too embarrassed to speak to a loved one then set up an appointment with your GP. You are not alone and there is help available.2. Set A Schedule: Your bladder is trainable. If you’re troubled by needing to pass water very often and needing to rush to the toilet, talk with your doctor about a daily schedule to build up your bladder’s holding capacity. Remember; allow your bladder to empty completely each time you go to the toilet.3. Drink Just Enough: There’s no need to avoid drinking in order to reduce the urge to visit the bathroom. Limiting your water intake makes your urine more concentrated, which boost your chances of bladder irritation. Keep hydrated.4. Bye, Bye Barista: Caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks could be your new worst enemies – they can irritate a sensitive bladder. Everyone with sensitive bladder could benefit from cutting down on alcohol. If your symptoms include needing to rush to the loo, try limiting those coffees, teas and carbonated beverages for a week or two to see if it helps.5. Relax: If you experience anxiety because of your sensitive bladder, mental relaxation can be a very valuable aid. Deliberately include activities in your daily life that bring you pleasure; for example meeting friends, going to the cinema or taking a walk.Startling Statistics
42% of women with frequent bladder leaks agree the condition makes them feel older than their age.41% believe that their condition affects their general happiness.41% do not feel confident being in a new place they do not know, with 34% seeking out the nearest bathroom or toilet first, before finding their bearings.One in three does not feel confident travelling long distances.42% reported feeling less attractive or feminine.35% do not feel confidence in an intimate situation.44% lack the confidence to wear the clothes they want to wearYet ... three out of four women still hold back from talking to their healthcare professional about urinary incontinence.– Source: Always Discreet
Discreet help
The Always Discreet range includes liners, light pads, moderate pads and pants /underwear, depending on the level of protection required and has been designed with comfort, odour neutralisation and discretion in mind. For further information, www.alwaysdiscreet.co.uk
Why a sensitive bladder should not break your stride
In the survey by Always Discreet, one in three (37%) of respondents said they would exercise more if they did not have sensitive bladder, with anecdotal evidence revealing that everything from a star jump in an aerobics class to running up the stairs left them fearing leaks. However, Body Control Pilates founder Lynne Robinson – described by Sophie Dahl as “the high priestess of Pilates” – believes that by choosing low-impact activities and working on your pelvic floor, sensitive bladder does not have to break your stride.
Here are her tips to staying
active with AI:
1. Keep Moving
Pilates, yoga, cycling, tai chi, brisk and Nordic walking are all great low-impact activities that will keep you fit.
2. Avoid The Crunches
Strong abdominal exercises can put too much pressure on your pelvic floor. Opt for gentler core exercises instead, to keep your abdominals in shape.
3. Do Your Pelvic Floor
Exercises Daily
By practicing at least three times a day, these exercises can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and give you more control when you need it. If you’re not sure how to do them, speak to your doctor or visit www.alwaysdiscreet.co.uk
4. Walk, Stand, Sit Tall
Be aware of your posture while you exercise and go about your daily activities. Slouching inhibits your deep core muscles from working properly.
5. Breathe Better
Learn to breathe more efficiently with Pilates or yoga. Never hold your breath while exercising, as this puts pressure on your pelvic floor.
6. Lift Carefully
We perform many of our daily activities without consciously thinking about our movements. Stand square and close, bend from your knees and hips, keeping your back straight.
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