Survey: Bladder health concerns impact 13 million U.S. women

CINCINNATI — Nearly 13 million American women with sensitive bladders say their bladder leaks make them feel about nine years older than they actually are, according to a new IPSOS survey from Procter & Gamble’s Always Discreet.

 

For National Bladder Health Awareness Month, Always Discreet is on a mission to educate women about this health topic, normalize the conversation and help women feel protected and more confident. 

 

“With age comes wisdom and experience, but it can also include new and unexpected signs of growing older that can impact your body and life,” stated Barbara Hannah Grufferman, positive aging expert and author of "The Best of Everything After 50." “National Bladder Health Awareness Month is a great time for women of all ages to assess their needs and learn how to manage their sensitive bladders.”

 

As many as one in three women with sensitive bladders do not use any protection products. But for most women with sensitive bladders (72%) who do use bladder protection say they feel more confident because of these products. 

 

The survey also found that a third of women with sensitive bladders (33%) admit they lack the confidence to wear the clothes they want and that they tend to wear dark colored clothing or loose clothing on their bottom half and 26% of women with sensitive bladders admit their condition impacts their happiness.

 

The Always Discreet survey shows that most women with sensitive bladders (74%) have not spoken to a health professional about experiencing leaks. Always Discreet recommends that women keep a diary to help the doctor uncover any patterns as women seek the care they deserve.

 

“By teaming up with Always Discreet, I want to ensure all women have the confidence to talk to their health care professionals about their bladder health, and are inspired to feel youthful and energized about life, no matter what changes happen to their bodies, and this starts by using the right protection,” Grufferman said. 

 

The survey was conducted using the IPSOS Panel that surveyed 400 American Women between the ages of 35 to 65 years old, including one group of 200 women who have experienced any urine loss/bladder weakness in the past three months and one group of 200 women who had not experienced bladder weakness.