Author: Tracey McAlpine Category: Lifestyle, Personal Welfare
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Nearly half of British women experience bladder weakness yet we still can’t speak openly about it

There’s not much that women don’t talk about; everything from kids, careers, husbands and sex, but rarely do we have a conversation about the fact that we sometimes leak urine.  We’ve been conditioned, practically from birth, to be in control of our bodily functions.  Women feel it’s a personal experience and not something to be discussed.

However, the secrecy surrounding incontinence is leaving many women feeling anxious, lonely and fearing old age.  Psychologist, Honey Langcaster-James, said “Many women are very mindful of, and may even fear, the increasing signs of ageing.  Experiencing bladder leakage can be a real source of anxiety with many women feeling that this is a sign they are beginning to lose control of their basic body functions.”

We have grown up thinking that incontinence only affects the very young or the very old, when in fact, recent research from Depend shows that 10 million women in the UK experience some degree of bladder weakness.  Especially women between the ages of 45 and 60, where 47% experience incontinence, with one in five women having symptoms every day.

There are many reasons for bladder weakness; childbirth, menopause and weight gain can trigger symptoms, sometimes only occasionally and at other times more consistent.  Because of this, women are in denial and feel embarrassed to admit they are experiencing it.  This becomes a vicious circle as they withdraw from activities such as exercise or playing with children and grandchildren, and start to plan their life around finding toilet facilities rather than looking for solutions.

“Incontinence is an extremely common condition, far more so than, say, cardiovascular disease which is discussed more often,” said GP, Dr Sara Kayat.

The feelings of frustration and isolation mean that one in five women haven’t spoken to anyone about incontinence and 69% have reduced or stopped leaving the house for long periods.  The experience of incontinence can be upsetting and even scary.  Women feel older than their years and almost a third (31%) feel it lowers their self-esteem.

Most worryingly, women don’t know that there are products made specifically to make this condition far less embarrassing.  Instead, some are using feminine hygiene liners and sanitary pads, or even toilet paper.

So, what is being done to open up the conversation about incontinence?

Depend, a global incontinence brand has recently launched in the UK.  They are opening up the conversation by producing a white paper to identify the extent of women experiencing bladder weakness in the UK, and the reasons we all need to start discussing it.  They have gone one step further by creating an online forum where women can speak freely and anonymously if preferred about their condition and seek reliable advice from other women in their shoes at Depend.co.uk

Depend Roundtable Event

To kick off the campaign, Depend organised a roundtable event at the Mondrian Hotel in London.  The panel included psychologist Honey Langcaster-James, GP Dr Sara Kayat, presenter and Celebrity MasterChef winner Nadia Sawalha, Pilates teacher Lorraine, and teaching assistant Jo.  I was invited to join the conversation where all the women spoke openly about bladder weakness.

Nadia Sawalha, a panellist on the popular daytime television programme Loose Women, opened up on the show that she had been experiencing incontinence for several years.  For the woman who has completed a marathon more than once, Nadia found she was exercising less and less after the birth of her children Maddie and Kiki-Bee.  Like many women, Nadia felt it was just something that you had to get on with and didn’t even confide in her partner about it.

Both Jo and Lorraine said that incontinence had changed how they lived their lives, always making sure they knew where a toilet was and even sitting out of activities in case of an accident.  All the women even admitted wearing different clothes to conceal the evidence in case they had an accident.

Depend expert panel

Depend Active-Fit launches in the UK

Depend has just launched a solution to keeping active while experiencing incontinence.  Their range of Active-Fit underwear is made from unique cotton-like fabric and is designed to provide discreet and comfortable protection, even when active

Depend found that when women switch to a specially designed product for incontinence, their confidence grows and they feel liberated.  They can resume activities they had given up with the knowledge that they won’t feel embarrassed or get caught out.

During a yoga session following the round table discussion, some of the women wore the Active-Fit underwear but, if I hadn’t been told, I would never have known.  The underwear lies flat under leggings and moves with your body with its clever Motion-Flex technology.  The product is discreet and comfortable; it offers a secure fit and odour elimination so no one but you will know you’re wearing it.

Yoga session at Depend UK Launch

To join the community of women – sharing stories, support and advice with others in your shoes, and to find out more about Depend products, please visit Depend

This advertorial was created in partnership with Depend, a Kimberly Clark brand.

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