Calendar May 21, 2014

Three-quarters of women plagued by incontinence haven’t sought help from a health professional, and many haven’t even told their partners, family or friends, according to a Survey carried out by The Royal College of Midwives and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.

Unfortunately most said they kept quiet about their problem because of embarrassment or shame.

The survey about incontinence was carried out by online community Netmums among their members last December and January with 1900 women responding.

The survey showed that:

- 45% of respondents leaked urine once a week.

- 27% suffered two or three times a week.

- 10% experienced incontinence issues several times a day.

- 79% of respondents said they leaked urine when they coughed or sneezed.

- Over a 33% said it happened before they could reach a toilet.

- Over 50% of respondents said they had never spoken to anyone about their problem.

- Only 31% said they had spoken to their husband or partner.

- Just 19% had discussed it with their mother, sister or other close relative.

- 60% felt the subject was ‘taboo’

- 56% said they felt embarrassed about the problem with 16% reported shame.

- Many women reported they had no warning that the problem would occur

Worryingly, even though incontinence is easily treated, three-quarters of sufferers said they had never sought help from a health professional for it.

The Royal College of Midwives and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists are launching a joint initiative, to raise awareness among professionals of the treatment physiotherapists can provide to tackle the problem, often in a relatively short amount of time, and of the need to make quicker referrals, as well as to help women understand the importance of pelvic health and how to exercise and maintain the pelvic floor muscles. The project will also enable midwives to encourage women to begin exercising pelvic floor muscles on a regular basis – as soon as they become pregnant – to prevent the problem developing in the first place.

Jacque Gerrard, RCM director for England said: “For women with incontinence their whole day is planned around being able to stay close to a toilet and without help these problems will only continue to get worse. During pregnancy women are generally more receptive to health messages so this is an ideal time when midwives can be proactive in discussing prevention.”

The CSP and RCM have produced a free leaflet and video that explain pelvic floor health. CSP professional adviser Ruth Ten Hove said: “Understandably, people find it a difficult subject to discuss and don’t seek help, which can cause the problem to worsen. But it doesn’t need to be this way – physiotherapists are experts in treating the condition and can make a big difference.