Research Reveals Light Adult Incontinence Is One of Last Medical Taboos A recent study by WoW (Wellbeing of Women) claims that millions of women are needlessly suffering in silence and shame because of the continued stigma about stress incontinence, also known as LAI - light adult incontinence. A staggering one in three women over thirty suffer from this bladder sensitivity and research shows that this remains one of the last female medical taboos. Wellbeing of Women Director, Liz Campbell comments: "It is distressing how many women with LAI continue to suffer in silence. The message has to be you should talk to someone, and get help to manage the problem. You don't have to live with this". Ulrika Jonsson 41, broke her silence this weekend in the Daily Mail, detailing how she failed to regain bladder control after the birth of one of her children "What I didn't realise after giving birth was that the condition didn't correct itself". Ulrika set about her action plan to regain control. With the help of her obstetrician, pelvic floor exercises and careful post-birth weight loss programme she managed to conquer her sensitive bladder. Ulrika comments: "Women who are affected by light adult incontinence 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 suffer from LAI. 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. Other women in the study claimed that LAI was so embarrassing to talk about and that they felt it aged them - they likened incontinence to a problem suffered by "older women" not a condition that affects women in their 20's - 40's. Many of these millions of women can overcome problems with light adult incontinence by taking simple steps. LAI is the result of a weak pelvic floor, simple as that. Many women do not realise that the pelvic floor supports the bladder, and if the pelvic floor muscles weaken, the bladder sags and leaks. Pelvic floor exercises are at the core of any treatment, and the good news is that exercising brings results even after just a few weeks. A whooping 70% of women can achieve full bladder control again. LAI Side- Effects More than half of women say that incontinence would cause them to lose confidence in themselves. This is higher (64%) amongst women under 40. One in four sufferers are more stressed and anxious as a result of LAI yet they seem to be caught in a vicious circle: seven out of ten (71%) women with LAI believe that stress can make the symptoms worse. 12% have even become depressed as a result. Then the big hit, not only do these women report feeling less attractive to their partner they will also experience lack of sensual sensation, that their partner may be able to feel as well. When the pelvic muscle, or kegel muscle becomes weak, the vagina may become loose, and lack sensation, 9% of women with LAI are less able to enjoy sex. Help is At Hand The good news for women with light adult incontinence is that they are not alone or without help. Ms Suzy Elneil, a Consultant Urogynaecologist and Gynaecologist at University College Hospital says" The turning point for many women is changing the way they perceive the problem. The greatest success comes when a woman feels empowered, takes charge of the situation, and re-establishes control over her bladder. Simple daily changes lead to a greatly improved situation and empowerment leads to a better self-image and restored confidence." Manual pelvic exercises can be difficult to perform - they are the squeeze and release exercises that the Doctor and midwife told us about. Sadly many of us find it difficult to get kegel exercise done in the right way. Help is at hand with a new breed of electronic stimulators. Specifically designed to tone and strengthen the pelvic floor via a vaginal probe works deep within the muscle bed, this is particularly effective in women who find it difficult to "squeeze and release" in just minutes a day a weakened pelvic floor, can be toned and tightened. The Wellbeing of Women funded study into the effect of childbirth on women's health: urinary and faecal incontinence and prolapse. This study followed up over 8000 women who were first recruited in 1993-1994, three months after they gave birth, who were surveyed again six years later. The second survey, completed by the same team in 2000, found that around 40% of women had urinary incontinence after giving birth; 10% had faecal incontinence; and 20% showed possible early signs of vaginal prolapse. We here at Stressnomore applaud Ulrika for speaking out about LAI, and hope that many more women will understand that a weak pelvic floor is not inevitable, and that surgery or pads or suffering in silence is not the only option!
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