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28 June 2004
Loss Of Bladder Control A Taboo Subject 
While around 32 percent of women aged 30 to 70 have experienced some degree of bladder control loss, the vast majority have not been diagnosed by a health care provider and are therefore less knowledgeable about their condition, less communicative about it and are not successfully managing it, according to a national Harris Interactive® survey. The survey revealed that bladder control loss is far more common than thought and that despite its prevalence, an alarming 64 percent of those experiencing symptoms are not currently doing anything to manage their condition. The survey suggests that diagnosis of bladder control loss improves knowledge, communication and successful treatment of the condition. Those diagnosed are far more likely than those undiagnosed with symptoms to be successfully managing their symptoms; are more likely to feel a sense of relief and that their quality of life has improved; and are far more comfortable talking about their condition to significant others, family members and/or medical practitioners. Surprising results from the survey include: - On average, diagnosed adults waited six years after first experiencing symptoms before talking with a health care professional
- Those who are diagnosed are nearly twice as likely to report higher self-esteem now that they are managing their loss of bladder control than those who are managing their symptoms but are undiagnosed
- Those who are diagnosed report that their sex life is more fulfilling than those who are not diagnosed, but experience symptoms
- 72 percent of people surveyed believe that loss of bladder control can alter people's daily routines like shopping, dining out, exercising and sex; but in reality, those with symptoms report engaging in those activities often or very often;
- Despite the condition's prevalence, 38 percent of those surveyed mistakenly believe loss of bladder control is just a natural part of aging, and 41 percent mistakenly think loss of bladder control is a "disease"
- In general, most adults ages 30-70 believe that loss of bladder control first occurs around age 60; in reality, those with symptoms report that they first exhibited loss of bladder control around age 40
"People need to know that loss of bladder control is actually quite common and is always treatable," said Nancy Muller, Executive Director of the National Association for Continence. "This new research shows us that for the approximately 25 million Americans with this condition, life very often improves after diagnosis. The majority of those surveyed continue to lead active, full lives - traveling, shopping and dining out. We're hoping that these findings will encourage more people who may be living in silence with symptoms to discuss them with a health care provider or their spouse or a family member and to seek out the many options available to them."
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