Urology Awareness Month: Debunking 3 common incontinence myths
Those affected by changing urology health will know how challenging it is to adapt to new habits. From seeking out toilets before you leave the house to getting used to new treatments, incontinence can turn life upside down at times.
This is not helped by the myths that you can stumble across when you’re surfing the web. Whether it’s prostate cancer, kidney stones, incontinence or UTIs, 1 in 2 of us are very likely to experience a problem with our urology health in our lifetime - that’s why it’s so important to get the facts straight.
This month, The Urology Foundation are spearheading a month-long campaign to increase awareness of urology and breakdown the stigma that currently comes with urological conditions. They are encouraging everyone to actively take care of their urology health by raising money to fund research and widen understanding of continence.
A key part of raising awareness of any condition is making sure that the information that’s being shared about it is evidence-based. At talkhealth, we pride ourselves on sharing trustworthy advice. That ‘s why, to mark Urology Awareness Month, we are debunking 3 of the most common incontinence myths...
Myth #1: I have to spend my own money on pads and pants
From pull up pants and pads to skincare and oudor control, buying continence products can be expensive. However, it doesn’t have to be! Many people don’t know that you can access solutions for incontinence on the NHS as long as you qualify after assessment. This gives you even more of a reason to report any bladder or bowel leakage to your GP who will be able to provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms and offer products and advice.
There is one caveat. As with lots of products on the NHS, where you live can affect what you are entitled to. Why not use the NHS Local Commisioning Group search tool to find out which services you can access?
Myth #2: Drinking less will help my incontinence
One of the biggest misunderstandings about incontinence is that drinking less will help with leaking. In fact, limiting the amount of fluids that you drink can make the problem worse! If you drink less water, your urine becomes more concentrated which can irritate the bladder even more. That’s why it is often advised that patients should steer clear of fluids that irritate the bladder like caffeinated and fizzy drinks but they should maintain a normal intake of water.
The main thing to keep an eye on is the colour of your urine. You are aiming for a straw colour. Too light and you are probably drinking too much for your body to process, too dark and you are not drinking enough. University Hospitals Birmingham have created this great resource to help you identify the colour of your wee.
Myth 3: Continence issues are a natural part of ageing
Wrong! Although urinary incontinence is more common in older people (nearly half of women aged 50-80 experience some kind of leaking!) because of the weakening of the bladder muscles as we age, it should not be accepted as a normal part of life.
From pregnancy to neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, bladder sensitivity can be caused by loads of different things at any time in a person’s lifetime. That’s why it’s so important for you to seek medical advice and make sure that you have uncovered any underlying factors that could be causing your incontinence. By scouting out the problem early, you are more likely to find management of your condition easier!
If you need more support and information for bladder conditions, our talkbladder hub is always open!
Information contained in this Articles page has been written by talkhealth based on available medical evidence. The content however should never be considered a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek medical advice before changing your treatment routine. talkhealth does not endorse any specific products, brands or treatments.
Information written by the talkhealth team
Last revised: 21 September 2021
Next review: 21 September 2024
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