Talking about bladder leaks can help women feel more positive about their experience – yet, new research has revealed 1 in 3 Irish women experiencing bladder leaks have never talked about it with friends or family.
49% said they felt embarrassed when they first realised they were experiencing bladder leaks, while 46% felt self-conscious.
The impact this is having on Irish women is clear; nearly a quarter of those experiencing bladder leaks said they plan their day around access to a toilet (23%), one in five (21%) sometimes skip social get-togethers because of leaks or avoid certain activities altogether (23%). The survey, from Always Discreet, revealed that, of those who had discussed their bladder leak experiences with a loved one, almost 7 in 10 (67%) reported feeling more positive after discussing their experience.
This research tells us women are not talking about bladder leaks, and as a result, are not managing them. Only 9% of women experiencing bladder leaks practice pelvic floor exercises daily even though they’ve been expertly proven to help prevent or reduce leaks.
Equally, while nearly 7 in 10 women (68%) experiencing bladder leaks say using dedicated products helps them feel more confident, the survey found that 72% of women experiencing bladder leaks are still reaching for the wrong items for bladder leak protection, like period pads or menstrual liners. While more than a third of these women (37%) admit they’d feel embarrassed to be seen buying bladder leak products.
‘SQUEEZE THE DAY, EVERY DAY’
Bladder leak protection and management should be a habit that every woman forms. Whether that’s empowering women to open up about their experiences, educating on the correct products to use to manage symptoms or reminding Irish women to ‘Squeeze The Day, Every Day’ and practice pelvic floor exercises daily. Every pelvic floor exercise, whether at home, at the bus stop or even at your desk, will make a big difference.
If you are one of these Irish women who doesn’t do pelvic floor exercises daily, find out how at the Always Discreet Menopause Hub. If you have any concerns regarding bladder weakness, or pelvic floor discomfort, speak to your GP.
