You are not alone and my aim is to normalise conversation about Urinary incontinence (“UI”). UI is a widespread health concern affecting millions of people worldwide, impacting daily life, self-confidence, and intimate wellness. Across East and West Midlands, there are an average of 8700 searches online for UI related treatments and products per month.
- Women - 339 million women are affected by UI worldwide, 14.3 million of whom are in the UK. That’s 42% of women in the UK. So if you are a woman, almost every other woman you walk by is affected by UI.
- Men - there are many studies with varying information. Various data sources suggest that between 114 million and 418 million men worldwide are affected by UI. At a high level, roughly 5-6% of men in the UK experience combined faecal and urinary incontinence - this increases to almost 50% in UK nursing home residents. Overall, this equates to approximately 1.8 million men in the UK struggling with UI.
A number of celebrities have shared their stories becausemarket.com:
Katy Perry: The pop star has spoken about experiencing bladder leaks during her teenage years, particularly due to severe urinary tract infections.
Stephen King: The renowned author developed incontinence following a severe urinary tract infection, which he initially feared was a sign of bladder cancer.
Whoopi Goldberg: The award-winning entertainer has been candid about her struggles with bladder leakage and has worked to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding the condition.
Samuel L. Jackson: The acclaimed actor began experiencing bladder control issues in his late 40s and has openly discussed using incontinence products to manage his condition.
Kate Winslet: The Oscar-winning actress revealed that she developed stress urinary incontinence after the birth of her three children, leading to bladder leaks when sneezing or jumping on a trampoline.
Kris Jenner: The matriarch of the Kardashian family has openly discussed her struggles with stress incontinence, which have been documented on the reality show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."
Coleen Nolan: The TV presenter and member of "Loose Women" has candidly shared her 30-year struggle with bladder leakage to help reduce the stigma around this common issue.
Katherine Heigl: The actress has humorously addressed her experiences with bladder leaks during perimenopause and has become a brand ambassador for Poise incontinence products.
Drew Barrymore: The actress and talk show host has shared her experiences with incontinence, discussing how aging and menopause have affected her bladder control.
Sophie Edwards: The former "Bachelor" contestant and bowel cancer survivor struggled with severe incontinence following her illness and underwent a sacral nerve stimulator surgery to manage the condition.