09/03/09

- New Research Reveals Light Adult Incontinence Is One of Last Medical Taboos

Millions of women are needlessly suffering in silence and shame because of the prevailing stigma about light adult incontinence (LAI), a condition that is on the rise and now affecting one in three women over thirty.

That’s the conclusion of new research released today*, which shows that light adult incontinence (LAI) remains one of the last female medical taboos, with women too embarrassed to seek help.

In a direct response to these findings and calls from women to raise awareness of the problem, Always Envive and Wellbeing of Women have launched the ‘Sense & Sensitivity’ campaign fronted by Ulrika Jonsson.  Together they aim to break the taboo, show women they are not alone, and give them the confidence to shake off the embarrassment, and get help.  For further information and advice women can go to www.alwaysenvive.co.uk. 

Wellbeing of Women Director, Liz Campbell comments: “It is distressing how many women with LAI continue to suffer in silence and that any women’s health issue should remain a taboo subject in 2009, which is why we are launching this campaign with Always Envive. The message has to be whatever the degree of your condition you should talk to someone, and get help to manage the problem. You don’t have to live with this”.

Many of these millions of women can overcome problems with light adult incontinence by taking simple steps day-to-day: choosing a discreet but specialist pad, learning how to do effective pelvic floor exercises and relaxation techniques can really help many women.  The success rate is higher than 70%, but even more complex cases can be overcome. It is the stigma surrounding incontinence which means women are too embarrassed to come forward despite the impact it has on their self-esteem and confidence, stress levels, and sex lives.

·       THE LAST TABOO: 4 out of 10 (41%) said that they would find it extremely embarrassing to talk about it, coming second only to STIs

·       AGEING: More than half (60%) of those affected worry that LAI ‘ages’ them as it is seen as something old people suffer from, despite child birth being one of the main triggers

·       NOT SEEKING HELP: Two in five (41%) women with LAI have not spoken to a medical professional or are aware that help is available. Even higher in the South East with over two-thirds (67%)

·       LACK OF CONFIDENCE: More than half of women (60%) say that LAI would cause them to lose confidence in themselves. This is higher (64%) amongst women under 40

·       LACK OF AWARENESS: One in ten of those affected (11%) are not even aware that there is any treatment available for LAI. This is even higher in the South West with a quarter (26%) not realising help is available

·       THE SECRET SHE DARE NOT SPEAK: Although women who have spoken up have found it empowers them and gives them confidence to tackle the problem 83% chose not to share with their partners

·       INCREASED STRESS & DEPRESSION: One in four (25%) sufferers are more stressed and anxious as a result of LAI yet they are caught in a vicious circle: seven out of ten (71%) women with LAI believe that stress can make the symptoms worse. 12% have even become depressed as a result (higher in South East at 25%)

·       DECLINING SEX LIVES: One in 5 (20%) under 40 say it makes them feel less attractive to their partner and 9% of women with LAI are less able to enjoy sex

Writer, broadcaster and mother of four, Ulrika Jonsson, 41, who experienced LAI after the birth of her fourth child, is fronting the campaign to show that, contrary to popular belief, many women with an incontinence problem are not drawing their pension.  In reality, it is often triggered by childbirth (over 30% have it 3 months after giving birth and 40% have it six years after having a child**) and therefore it can and does affect fit, young, active women. 

Ulrika comments: “Women who are affected by light adult incontinence shouldn’t have to feel alone, invisible or embarrassed to speak to someone.  A third of women over 30 have this. It’s a damaging myth that only old people suffer from LAI. It isn’t true. I am proof of that. For many women it happens after giving birth.  The good news is that there are lots of ways to manage and improve symptoms and boost your confidence levels.  By working on the Always Envive ‘Sense & Sensitivity’ campaign, I hope to break down the stigma, get people talking about the problem and encourage other women to overcome it and get their lives back.

The good news for women with light adult incontinence is that they are not alone or without help.  The Always Envive and Wellbeing of Women partnership not only aims to break the stigma but will also provide funding for much needed research to help women affected and allow them to begin living their lives with confidence.  

There are many effective solutions to help manage and improve LAI: choosing a discreet but specialist pad, doing effective pelvic floor physiotherapy, relaxation & breathing exercises, aromatherapy, and lifestyle changes.  If it is still a problem ask your GP or practise nurse.  Get the help you need. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. You can find advice and support from experts at www.alwaysenvive.co.uk.   

Ms Suzy Elneil, a Consultant Urogynaecologist and Gynaecologist at University College Hospital:

”More than 70% of women (young and old) of reproductive age can be helped. It is so important to promote a positive attitude.  The turning point for many women is changing the way they perceive the problem.  The greatest success comes when a woman feels empowered, takes charge of the situation, and re-establishes control over her bladder.  Simple daily changes lead to a greatly improved situation and empowerment leads to a better self-image and restored confidence.”

For more information on the Always Envive Sense & Sensitivity campaign and expert advice on managing a sensitive bladder log onto www.alwaysenvive.co.uk.

For further information, images or to request an interview, please contact:

Jane Laurie, Zoë Jones or Marianne Cahill on 020 7553 3700 or email pandg@dsapr.co.uk

Sense & Sensitivity Research

*1,000 face-to-face interviews with women age 30+ across nine regions of the UK and the Republic of Ireland in January 2009. A full summary of the research findings (including regional variations) carried out on behalf of Always Envive in January 2009 is available on request

**The Wellbeing of Women funded study into the effect of childbirth on women’s health: urinary and faecal incontinence and prolapse. This study followed up over 8000 women who were first recruited in 1993-1994, three months after they gave birth, who were surveyed again six years later.  The second survey, completed by the same team in 2000, found that around 40% of women had urinary incontinence after giving birth; 10% had faecal incontinence; and 20% showed possible early signs of vaginal prolapse.

Always Envive technology neutralizes odours and offers women the protection of a specialist product with the discretion of an ultra thin pad. It has a specially designed shape at the front made for small urine leaks.  Always Envive pads have hundreds of ultra-absorbent micro-channels which absorb wetness and odour and lock them discreetly away.  

There are four products in the range: liner, liner plus, regular and regular plus.

Wellbeing of Women, the only UK charity dedicated to solving all of the health problems that only affect women, and Always® Envive have established a partnership to raise awareness of light adult incontinence. Always Envive will also provide funding for much needed research to help the women affected, and allow them to live their lives with confidence.

Ulrika Jonsson is a mother of four children and experienced LAI after the birth of her fourth child in 2008. She has almost overcome the problem through a disciplined regime of pelvic floor physiotherapy.

The comments and advice provided in response to the key research findings of the ‘Sense & Sensitivity’ campaign have been provided by a panel of experts who are working with Always Envive:

Liz Campbell is the director of Wellbeing of Women (WoW), the charity dedicating to solving the health problems that only affect women.  WoW is 45 years old and Liz has been its Director since spring of 2006.

Dr Suzy Elneil is a Consultant Urogynaecologist and Gynaecologist at University College Hospital and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. She has been working in the field of Urogynaecology since the early 1990s.

Dr Sarah Jarvis is a women’s health spokesperson for (and a fellow of) the Royal College of General Practitioners, and spends three quarters of her time as a practising GP and GP trainer. In addition, she has been the women’s health tutor for the RCGP/University of Bath distance learning programme.

Louise Mills, 36, from Greenwich, London, mum of two and speech therapist at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She developed severe symptoms of incontinence following a difficult birth.  After living with the problem for several years Louise took surgical steps to rectify it. Louise is available for telephone interviews, photography available.

Mary Mackay-James, 36, Berkhamsted, housewife and mum of two. She became incontinent following the birth of her son. She still has the condition but having sought help, she is currently looking at different ways to bring it under control. Mary is available for telephone interviews, photography available. 

Linda Griffin, 40, Berkhamsted, housewife and mum of two. Originally from South Africa she is not embarrassed to speak out about her problem and wants to empower other women to do the same. Linda is available for telephone interviews.

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