WFIPP wishes everyone a very Happy and Constructive International Women’s Day 2021.
Here is a blog post we have prepared specifically for today to help the millions out there who are suffering from any form of incontinence. More blog posts to follow. You can find all our blog posts and so much more information on our new Digital Platform ‘Support in Continence’.
#continencematters
March 8th is International Women’s Day 2021 and this year’s theme is ‘Choose to Challenge’ – an ethos that the entire WFIPP community embrace on a daily basis. Incontinence is a condition that is rarely talked about and often misunderstood. Bringing down barriers and helping women get access to accurate, useful information on incontinence causes and treatments is a goal that we are proud to celebrate today, and every day. So this blog is dedicated to all those women who choose to challenge. Let’s go!
Incontinence: How Women Really Feel
Feeling 1: I’m confused about what causes incontinence in women
It’s not surprising that many women are unsure about the most common causes of incontinence. After all, society often assumes it’s just a ‘natural part of ageing’. In fact, incontinence is a common condition that can affect people at all stages of their lives, and it’s not something that anyone just has to ‘accept’. Childbirth, injuries and certain medications can all cause urinary and faecal incontinence – the problem is many women are ashamed to discuss the condition with their friends and family, so it ends up becoming “the greatest medical taboo”. International Women’s Day is the perfect moment for us to start a real conversation that acknowledges the millions of women around the world who are suffering in silence. Find more powerful incontinence facts here (Link to ‘Incontinence facts’).
Feeling 2: I’m looking for a treatment for incontinence in women
And so you should be! There are a whole range of treatments available for urinary and faecal incontinence in women, and the sooner you start searching for a solution, the sooner you can improve your quality of life and regain your confidence. The first step is to discuss any symptoms with a healthcare professional – they are the people best placed to give you a proper diagnosis and personalised treatment options. Take a look at our platform for top information on first-line approaches and advanced therapies (Link to ‘What treatments are available?).
Feeling 3: I’m ready to seek out a better life whilst living with incontinence
We hear you! The good news is that many women are already living well with incontinence. In our testimonials section (Link to ‘Testimonials’) you can find stories from other women who have gone through similar experiences and have genuine practical advice about dealing with the condition. Plus, if you are worried about socialising, having sex, exercising (or anything else!), then you can find tips and resources here (Link to ‘How can I live with incontinence?’). We hope you find the information useful – the important thing is to feel you are part of a community of women who can support each other in their journey to continence.
Thanks for reading, and Happy International Women’s Day 2021!
#ChooseToChallenge #SupportContinence
WFIPP
Here is another blog post
4 Ways to Deal with Incontinence After Giving Birth
In a previous blog post (which you can read here), we discussed pregnancy incontinence and provided some useful tips on improving your quality of life. In today’s post, we’re going to continue this important theme with a focus on post-pregnancy. Because even if you’ve suffered a few sleepless nights recently, we don’t want incontinence worries to be the cause of them. Keep reading for our top four strategies for dealing with incontinence after childbirth.
Strategy 1: Relax
We know it’s not the easiest thing to do when you have a new-born at home, but it’s really important that you put any incontinence symptoms into perspective. Vaginal childbirth is an intense experience (putting it lightly), so it isn’t surprising if your bladder and bowel feel a little out of shape. What you need to know is that this is totally normal, and millions of women around the world report symptoms such as urinary and faecal leaking after birth. Don’t forget – your body is doing an amazing job adjusting to its post-pregnancy world.
Strategy 2: Talk
If you’ve got a post-natal group of mothers you can chat with about incontinence, then start the conversation today! There is nothing more comforting than sharing your story with other people who can empathise with your situation. It might be difficult to raise it to begin with, but we bet everybody will be grateful that you have. However, if the thought of sharing with friends feels overwhelming, then the next best option is to talk with an incontinence nurse or other healthcare professional. They are the people best placed to discuss your symptoms and diagnose your exact condition. On our platform, you can find a useful guide for assessing your body and preparing for an appointment (Link to ‘How can I get help’.
Strategy 3: Squeeze!
A strong pelvic floor is essential for treating both urinary and faecal incontinence after childbirth. Plus (though this may not be your number one priority right now), many people find that doing pelvic floor exercises makes sex more satisfying. The exercises are simple to fit into your everyday routine – we recommend you start by doing them lying down if you’ve just given birth. In fact, whilst your new born is sleeping (they do sometimes!), why not light a candle, pop on a face mask and take five minutes just for yourself.
Strategy 4: Read
For some women, first- line treatments won’t be enough to deal with incontinence. Luckily, there are lots of more advanced therapies that can help if you still have symptoms following childbirth. We, at WFIPP, believe trustworthy, accurate and plain language information is vital, so we’ve outlined all the available treatments over on our platform (Link to ‘What treatments are available’). Reading about these various options will help you to feel better prepared to speak to a healthcare professional and find the solution that’s right for you.
That’s all the strategies for today! You’re doing a fantastic job – just carry on as you are. You’ll get there!
WFIPP