Scotswomen urged to speak up and seek help for 'the last medical taboo'

Published on Monday 9 March 2009 19:39

ONE in three Scottish women over the age of 30 suffer from incontinence, but only 5 per cent are likely to discuss the issue with their partner, according to new research issued yesterday.

The embarrassment caused by the condition – light adult incontinence (LAI) – affects the sex lives of Scottish women, with 60 per cent saying it caused them to lose confidence and a quarter reporting that it made them feel less attractive to their partner.

Commenting on these results, Dr David Lewis, a chartered psychologist and stress specialist, said: "The sexual guilt which so many Scottish women experience obviously adds to their stress and depression. These negative feelings are compounded by their extreme reluctance to confide in their partners."

He went on: "As a result, their LAI is likely to be made harder to bear and cause them to be less willing to seek assistance in overcoming it."

The study, by the feminine hygiene company Always Envive, has led to the launch of a campaign to raise awareness of what the organisation calls "one of the last female medical taboos".

The firm has teamed up with the Wellbeing of Women charity to start the "Sense & Sensitivity" campaign, which is fronted by Ulrika Jonsson, the former TV weather presenter and Celebrity Big Brother contestant, who has suffered from LAI.

She said: "Women who are affected by light adult incontinence or sensitive bladders 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 have incontinence. 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."

The campaign hopes to fund research on the problem, as well as effective treatments.

Dr Suzy Elneil, a consultant urogynaecologist at University College Hospital, said: "More than 70 per cent 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 incontinence.

"The greatest success comes when a woman feels empowered, takes charge of the situation, and re-establishes control over her bladder," she said. "Simple interventions lead to a greatly improved situation and empowerment leads to a better self-image and restored confidence."