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<\/p>\n\u201cMany people feel embarrassed or believe they\u2019re the only ones facing these challenges \u2013 but that\u2019s far from the truth,\u201d says specialist pelvic health physiotherapist Libby Oldfield.<\/p>\n
Urinary incontinence is the most common form of the condition, affecting about 10 per cent of men and up to 38 per cent of women.<\/p>\n
Oldfield says the female anatomy makes women more susceptible to incontinence, and physical changes during pregnancy can stretch and weaken the pelvic floor \u2013 regardless of whether a woman gives birth vaginally or via caesarean.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing female and being pregnant for the first time are the two biggest risk factors for pelvic floor and continence problems,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Perimenopause and menopause are further pressure points.<\/p>\n
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\u201cDuring this time, the body produces less oestrogen, a hormone that helps support the strength and function of pelvic floor muscles,\u201d Oldfield says. \u201cAs oestrogen levels decline, these muscles can weaken, leading to bladder and bowel control issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
And, Oldfield stresses, it\u2019s not something older people face alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver half of women with urinary incontinence issues are under 50,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
For some women, incontinence is not tied to motherhood or menopause. Exercise load, constipation and lifestyle factors can all affect continence health.<\/p>\n
For Anna Powell, 31, who has lived with urinary incontinence since childhood, it is believed to have been exacerbated by a long and severe battle with anorexia.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy bladder seems to be the same shape and size as most people\u2019s, but I\u2019m told it\u2019s more about the contracting mechanisms which have been damaged by my eating disorder and other notional sensitivities due to autism,\u201d Powell says.<\/p>\n
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Anna Powell, 31, has been living with, and managing, urinary incontinence since childhood.Credit: Janie Barrett<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to live with it<\/p>\n
While incontinence is common, Oldfield says it is not normal.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people assume that bladder or bowel leakage is just a normal part of life after having a baby, but it\u2019s not something you have to live with,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the right treatment, many people can significantly improve or even fully cure their incontinence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oldfield recommends seeking help if you\u2019re unable to control your bladder or bowel without leaks, going to the toilet more than six times a day or numerous times through the night, or you\u2019re experiencing frequent urge and urgency to wee.<\/p>\n
Treatment depends on the type of incontinence, but first-line options include pelvic floor exercises along with diet and lifestyle changes. Surgical intervention may be considered, but Oldfield says it\u2019s generally not offered without first trialling a tailored lifestyle plan and supervised pelvic floor program.<\/p>\n
\u201cA good diet is key to good bowel health. We should all be able to poo easily, without straining, and regularly \u2013 which we do if we eat well and drink enough water,\u201d Oldfield says.<\/p>\n
Lifestyle tweaks may also be needed, including the type and amount of exercise you do and maintaining a healthy weight.<\/p>\n
When done properly, pelvic floor exercises can be one of the most effective ways to manage urinary incontinence \u2013 something Wright discovered firsthand and now teaches through industry fitness courses, workshops and seminars.<\/p>\n
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Pelvic floor exercises can relieve the symptoms of incontinence.Credit: Shutterstock<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pelvic floor is a muscle, like any other muscle in the body \u2013 it can be trained, it can be lazy, and it can be tight,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Understanding the cause of your incontinence is key to tailoring an appropriate muscle rehabilitation program, Wright says. She is now a passionate advocate for continence health and its impact on overall wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cA weak pelvic floor won\u2019t kill you, but inactivity can,\u201d she says. \u201cExercise is not just about physical health, it\u2019s [also about] mental health \u2013 and women can be robbed of it if they\u2019ve had a pelvic floor injury and feel they can no longer exercise because of incontinence.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut achieving a healthy, fully functioning pelvic floor is not that difficult if you get the right help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wright continues to lead a full and active lifestyle, free of incontinence episodes and prolapse.<\/p>\n
For Powell, the road to a life without incontinence is less clear, and she isn\u2019t hopeful. But she would like there to be more understanding of the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there needs to be more social awareness,\u201d she says. \u201cPeople talk about periods \u2013 and rightly so \u2013 but incontinence affects people of all ages and genders and still feels incredibly taboo.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love for it to be de-stigmatised, and treated like any other biological condition.\u201d<\/p>\n