Perimenopause and menopause can bring their fair share of changes. Perhaps your sleep isn’t quite what it used to be, your body temperature feels like it’s developed a mind of its own, or you’ve suddenly found yourself keeping an eye out for the nearest loo. Involuntary bladder leaks can be another unexpected part of the picture – and, despite 34%* of women in the UK experiencing them, they’re still something many of us find difficult to talk about.
It’s surprising, really, when you consider the impact they have on our lives: that slightly frantic key-in-the-lock manoeuvre at the front door, wondering whether you’ll make it, or eyeing up a pair of beige trousers and thinking, ‘Maybe not worth the risk.’ Yet bladder leakage is still something brushed firmly under the rug.
These are the kinds of fears that the charity Bladder Health UK hears about all the time – and that protective products like Always Discreet hope to provide support for.
‘One woman told us that having to carry around changes of underwear made her feel as though she was “constantly going on a camping trip”,’ says Dawn Williams, a specialist nurse who works for Bladder Health UK. ‘Bladder leaks are so common, but we see women delay getting help due to stigma, a lack of awareness, or the mistaken assumption that it’s a normal part of life rather than a treatable medical condition.’ And this is where the bladder health gap starts to show – a disparity in the research, diagnosis and treatment of bladder-related conditions.
Changing the mindset
One of the biggest obstacles stopping us from getting help? Thinking that nothing can be done or that it’s just ‘one of those things’ that happens with ageing, menopause, having children, or just being, well, unlucky.
The truth? ‘Bladder leakage isn’t an inevitable part of ageing – while ageing can increase the risk, there are many other factors that influence bladder health,’ says Williams.
So, if you’ve been telling yourself it’s just something you must put up with, think again. ‘There are lots of treatments that can help manage incontinence, such as bladder training, pelvic floor exercises, and tailored lifestyle advice,’ adds Williams.
But while you’re working out what’s happening and getting the right advice, life doesn’t exactly stop. You’ve still got dinners to go to, long drives to make and, frankly, clothes you’d like to wear without worrying.
Daily support
Everyday menstrual products aren’t designed specifically for bladder leaks, so it’s worth choosing protection that is. Always Discreet Maxi Night, for example, can be worn during the day as well as overnight. Its RapidDry core is designed to absorb bladder leaks quickly and lock liquid away, while OdourLock Technology helps control odours.
And, because it’s designed to stay comfortably in place and remain discreet under clothes, it can help take one more worry off of your mind.
The help you deserve
Alongside finding protection that helps, it’s important to get personal advice from a healthcare professional. The support you’ll be offered can depend on the type of urinary incontinence that’s diagnosed.
For instance, stress incontinence causes involuntary leaking when you exercise, cough, sneeze or laugh. Meanwhile, urgency incontinence is associated with a sudden, overwhelming need to wee and an overactive bladder. Some women experience a combination of both.
Know you need help but not sure what to say to your doctor or other healthcare professional? You don’t need to arrive with the perfect medical vocabulary, just start with what’s happening – whether that’s leaking when you laugh or suddenly needing the loo.
One simple thing you can do to make the conversation easier is keep a bladder diary for at least three days and record when you wee, how much you wee, any leaks and what was happening at the time.
‘The golden rule is to measure and record what’s happening to you,’ says Williams. ‘This helps you understand your symptoms and provides the evidence to say “Look, this isn’t right, I need support”.’
What good care looks like
When you do have that conversation, you should feel heard. ‘First and foremost, good care is being listened to by a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist,’ says Williams. ‘It takes time and understanding, with a proper history, examination and other causes of urinary leakage being ruled out.’
Depending on the type of incontinence, you might be referred to a women’s health physiotherapist or another specialist service.
Don’t feel like you’re getting through? ‘Ask for another opinion,’ says Williams. ‘Don’t be shy or feel you must just accept it. It’s your body: you have a right to be heard.’
Find out more about Always Discreet products and find protection that works for you
SOURCE: *NICE Incontinence in women statistics (2025)
