New research shows that people in the UK, particularly women, are often afraid to come forward and talk about their health concerns.

Recent research conducted by Oceana Therapeutics with 1,000 people (500 Men and 500 Women) in the UK found that 50% of women admitted to feeling low or unable to talk to anyone because of an embarrassing health condition and a third of women have completely avoided seeking treatment. However, men (41%) were far more likely to go to their GP for information about an embarrassing health condition and seek help than women (23%).

The research also revealed that over a third of Brits would be more embarrassed about a bladder related problem than any other and incontinence is the problem that we are least likely to talk to our GP about. Stress urinary incontinence is a condition which can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and according to the Bladder and Bowel Foundation, one third of women in the UK will have some form of Stress Urinary Incontinence at some stage in their lives.