NAFC pushes women to talk about bladder leaks

The National Association for Continence is using its July-August We Count campaign to help women start conversations with doctors about urinary incontinence. The effort aims to reduce stigma, improve treatment access and give patients practical tools to prepare for care.

Why it matters: - Urinary incontinence affects about half of women, but many live with bladder leaks for years without care. - The campaign targets embarrassment, uncertainty and the belief that bladder leaks are a normal part of aging or womanhood. - NAFC says better conversations can help women understand causes, compare treatment options and find care that fits their goals.

What happened: - The National Association for Continence launched a July and August focus for its We Count: Measuring the Human Toll of Incontinence campaign. - The campaign encourages women with bladder leaks to speak with a healthcare professional. - NAFC is offering practical tools to help patients start the conversation and take a more active role in treatment decisions. - The free We Count guide and additional resources are available at nafc.org/we-count. - The July/August phase is supported in part by Medtronic.

The details: - NAFC's survey on doctor-patient conversations found nearly 30% of respondents felt uncomfortable talking to their primary care provider about bladder leaks. - More than half of respondents had been living with symptoms for more than seven years. - Respondents said the conversation could have been easier if they had completed a bladder health form, spoken with a nurse first or had the healthcare provider bring up the topic. - The campaign will use educational social media content, a short video and a free patient guide. - The materials aim to help women recognize that urinary incontinence is common but treatable. - The campaign also explains that different types of bladder leakage may require different approaches to care. - Patients are urged to track symptoms, prepare questions and describe how leaks affect daily activities, relationships, sleep, exercise, work and emotional well-being. - The campaign emphasizes shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers. - Possible treatment options include behavioral strategies, bladder training, pelvic floor physical therapy, medication, lifestyle changes or other therapies. - NAFC recommends keeping a bladder diary for two to three days, noting when leaks occur and what the patient was doing at the time. - The campaign also advises bringing a current medication list and writing down the most important questions before an appointment. - NAFC suggests a simple opening line for patients: “I’ve been having bladder leaks, and I’d like to talk about it.” - Sarah Jenkins, NAFC's executive director, said women should not feel they have to quietly live with bladder leaks. - Jenkins said starting the conversation can help identify what is causing the symptoms and what treatment options are available.

Between the lines: - The campaign is trying to close a communication gap, not just raise awareness. - The survey results suggest stigma and preparation barriers may be delaying care even when symptoms persist for years. - By giving patients scripts, tracking tools and questions to ask, NAFC is pushing for more proactive, shared care decisions.

What's next: - NAFC will keep promoting the We Count campaign through July and August. - The organization expects the resources to help more women speak up earlier and arrive at appointments prepared. - NAFC's broader initiative continues to focus on reducing stigma and improving conversations about bladder leakage and related conditions.

The bottom line: - NAFC wants bladder leaks treated as a health issue worth discussing, not a condition women should manage alone.