Incontinence: 70 per cent of Australians do not seek help

"You don't have to put up with it": Consider your options to treat incontinence

This is branded content for Medtronic No one wants to talk about incontinence.. Surprising, considering it is a common condition that affects one in four Australians.. However, it has long been considered one of those embarrassing and unavoidable "below the belt" issues that occurs to people after childbirth or as they age - and one that simply must be endured..

Nothing could be further from the truth.. "There is a misconception in the community that if you're old or you have kids, it's normal, but it actually isn't," said urologist Professor Kathryn McLeod.. "It is common in people of all ages, for some it can be mild, and for others quite severe, but really any leakage is abnormal and it's not something you have to live with." While there is definitely a higher percentage of women with incontinence, Professor McLeod sees both men and women, some as young as 16, and others who were born with issues and have been dealing with the condition their whole life..

Fortunately, incontinence is treatable.. However, despite this, 70 per cent of the five million plus Australians suffering from incontinence do not seek help.. "There's definitely a stigma around it," said Professor McLeod..

"By the time they get to me they've been suffering for so long and feel like there is nothing out there, when actually there is a lot we can do.. "When I treat them, they often say, 'Oh my God, I wish I'd done this 20 years ago'." There are two main categories of incontinence:. urgency and stress..

Urgency incontinence is when people have difficulty holding their bladder and can't get to the toilet in time, even as they are pulling down their underwear.. Stress incontinence is losing urine through an action such as sneezing, coughing or falling over.. Incontinence can also occur in the bowel, known as faecal incontinence..

This occurs where patients have trouble managing bowel movements and it can either co-exist with bladder incontinence or happen independently.. If you're suffering from any type of incontinence, your trusted GP can often provide effective support, or send you to see a suitable specialist if need be.. "With urgency incontinence, we have a range of medications that the GP can prescribe and a lot of time that's really helpful and all you need," said Professor McLeod..

"Whereas with stress incontinence, seeing a pelvic floor physio might be the best line of treatment." While it can be difficult to get in to see a GP, Professor McLeod stresses the importance of booking an appointment with the aim to discuss this one issue so it receives adequate attention and is not overlooked among other concerns.. "GPs usually deal with one problem per appointment so when people go in with a list of five things, then it's not going to get done," she said.. "If you go in to address this one issue, then you'll get a lot further." For some sufferers with overactive bladder, urge or faecal incontinence, there are a number of advanced treatments that can be considered, such as sacral neuromodulation (SNM)..

This involves implanting a small medical device into the body, which sends mild electrical impulses to nerves that control the bladder or bowel.. This stimulation can be adjusted to suit the patient's needs.. "It's a bit like a pacemaker for the bladder," said Professor McLeod..

"It changes the message from the brain and the spinal cord to the bladder." Vicky was a long-term sufferer of urgency incontinence, who had got into the habit of constantly going to the toilet, at one point up to 18 times a day.. By her mid-40s, Vicky had begun experiencing accidents when she couldn't reach the bathroom in time, which often led to uncomfortable situations at work or when she was out.. "I thought I was going to end up in incontinence pads, the way I was going," Vicky said..

Originally, Vicky saw a physio who identified a weakness in her pelvic floor, despite the fact that she had never had children.. However pelvic floor treatment did not help and Vicky saw a urologist who prescribed her tablets, which were also unsuccessful.. Finally in 2022, Vicky met Professor McLeod who suggested she try SNM..

"It's a huge improvement," says Vicky.. "I can now get to the toilet comfortably." Many patients endure incontinence for years before asking for help;. however, it is a treatable and often manageable condition..

"There is nothing to be ashamed of," said Professor McLeod.. "Seek help - there are some really good options for people to consider;. you don't have to put up with it." To learn more, visit Speak About Leaks The testimonial relates to a genuine account of an individual's response to the treatment, and does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other persons may have to the treatment..

Responses to the treatment may vary.. Sacral Neuromodulation is a treatment option and not a product.. It is not available for purchase by the general public..

This information is of a general nature only and should not be regarded as specific medical advice to any individual situation.. Readers are encouraged to speak with their GP and seek appropriate medical advice based on their personal circumstances..