Childbirth is the most wonderful experience a woman can have in her entire life but for a small minority this experience can leave lasting injuries that will degrade their lifestyle.

One of these injuries is called obstetric fistula - a fissure, or hole, between her rectal and vaginal passages that can damage nerves cutting brain communication with the bladder leading to a severe case or urinary incontinence.

Such problem is not very common here in the UK but a recent article on The Guardian caught our attention and we decided to share it with our readers.

The article "Torn Apart by Childbirth" tells the story of Mel who had a problematic delivery that caused her change ever since. Sex is difficult and painful; she rarely goes out socially, and she has only been able to return to work in the last two months.

Despite Mel's case being a rare one, birth injuries that lead to long term or permanent damage are more common that many people think. One study found that between 25 and 40% of patients will have a birth injury of some kind if you actually look for it. It's much more widespread than anyone believes.

Many women suffer in silence and here is where the problem needs to be tackled. We've heard from women in their 50's that gave birth in their 30's and have lived with faecal incontinence all this time and done nothing because they thought they were freaks.

Maureen Treadwell at the Birth Trauma Association agrees: each week, she says, her organisation hears from women who haven't known where to turn for advice before. "It's a totally hidden problem, and it affects women's lives in devastating ways," she says. "Many of the women who contact us have rectal as well as urinary incontinence, and they can't have sex . . . for some, their relationship totally breaks down as a result of it all. Women tell us it makes them feel dirty; it wrecks their work, their home and their social life. And it's a total taboo."

Every day we hear from people that are ashamed of their condition and don't seek help because they simply don't have the confidence to do so. For years now here at All About Incontinence we have been stressing out the fact that Incontinence is nothing to be ashamed off and it is TREATABLE.

Our aim here is to help you feel more confident through giving you the best incontinence products for reliable protection and the right information to help you understand and manage your condition.

Do not hesitate to contact us or ask our nurse specialist Shona with your doubts. All emails and calls are dealt with total discretion.