- As Brits enjoy another summer of sport, research suggests that 1 in 3 women are avoiding the start lines due to bladder leaks
- Stricken by feelings of embarrassment (74%), over 7 in 10 (73%) say they can’t even face socialising due to the issue
- Tena Women has created a Pelvic Power Squad of Leading Women’s Sport Advocates: Holly Bradshaw, Shakira Akabusi and Emily Westray to champion Pelvic Health and reduce drop-out rates
Amid a summer of sporting prowess and an array of awe-inspiring performances from the world’s very best female athletes, there are thousands of women across the UK who could have been denied their own chance of sporting glory because of bladder leaks, research from TENA has revealed.
Driven by feelings of embarrassment (74%), 1 in 3 women* are choosing to leave sport with those suffering from bladder leaks choosing to quit before the age of 25.
It means that thousands of women in the UK could be spectators to this year’s incredible summer of sport, wondering if they could have been taking to the start lines themselves.
The data, however, suggests that for many a simple solution could have solved their problem.
Among those who have given up sport, a significant 83% believe simple changes, such as regularly completing Kegel exercises, would have helped keep them active for longer.
Mark Geddes, Senior Brand Manager at TENA, said: “Our research suggests that over 10 million women are leaving sport early due to bladder leaks. Every woman deserves the chance to reach her full potential in sport, whatever that looks like to her. Whether they’re chasing podiums, personal bests or simply the joy of being active, no woman should be forced to step away and wonder what might have been. We don’t want bladder leaks to be the reason women miss out on opportunities, confidence or sporting success. That’s why we’ve created a collection of resources such as our broadcast channel and an educational content series to provide greater pelvic support and advice to those in need.”
Taking to the streets of Glasgow as the city hosts its landmark multi-sport event this week, TENA assembled a Pelvic Power Squad to help drive education around pelvic health.
Olympic bronze medallist Holly Bradshaw has joined forces with leading powerlifter Emily Westray, who has spoken openly about her bladder leak challenges in competition, and women’s fitness and pelvic health expert Shakira Akabusi. Together, they shared their experiences of bladder health while highlighting strategies for improving pelvic health.
Bradshaw, Britain’s first Olympic medallist in the pole vault and a women’s health advocate, said: “As a new mother, I’m highly aware of the issue of bladder leaks and the importance of maintaining good pelvic health. As this week’s action has shown, sport can be such an incredible outlet for building confidence, meeting like-minded people and improving your overall wellbeing.
“There are so many barriers facing women in sport. It’s incredibly frustrating that this often-preventable issue remains so common. We know that bladder health can be a taboo topic, but it shouldn’t have to be. The more we can educate women, the greater the chance we have of keeping them active and involved in sport.”
Powerlifter Westray added: “Having experienced my own bladder health challenges in competition, I know just how disconcerting this can initially be, but there’s no shame in leaking, whatever the reason, and it certainly doesn’t have to mean the end of your sporting journey.
“There are things you can do, including strengthening your pelvic floor muscles through exercises such as Kegels, modifying exercise routines and, in some cases, seeking medical advice.
“It’s so important to keep women in sport and enjoying the amazing feeling it can give you.”
Further research** conducted by TENA also suggests that the issue is affecting women of all ages, with nearly a third (29%) of Gen Z women having experienced bladder leaks and the issue affecting half (50%) of millennials.
Of those impacted, almost two-thirds (65%) of Gen Z women who experience bladder leaks say it has caused them to give up or cut back on sport, while nearly 1 in 5 (18%) have quit altogether.
Going beyond the streets of Scotland, TENA’s Instagram broadcast channel features exclusive tips from women’s health ambassadors, alongside a range of educational resources designed to help women stay active, strong and leak-free.
To sign up for the TENA Women’s broadcast channel, visit @tenawomenuk on Instagram or click here.
With thanks to TENA via Tangerine
