DON'T hold off taking that first step towards seeking help for incontinence. That's the message from the Continence Foundation of Australia, which urges people who live with the problem to pick up the phone and call a free helpline for advice.
More than five million Aussies regularly have bladder and bowel accidents, but most don't seek help to better manage or cure it.
The National Continence Helpline (1800-330-066) provides free confidential advice on bladder and bowel issues from professional continence nurse advisors.
Incontinence directly affects one in four Australians, yet Continence Foundation of Australia chief executive Rowan Cockerell said the stigma prevents people taking action for the condition that won't get better on its own.
"The majority of people affected by incontinence can be treated, better managed and even cured," she said.
"It is a socially and emotionally debilitating condition that people take great lengths to avoid addressing, by either withdrawing from normal life or denying its existence. But if you talk about it with a health professional, you are taking the first steps to a more confident life."
Last year, more than 30,000 people received assistance from the helpline with either information, support, referrals to local continence health professionals, resources or information about continence funding assistance.
More than half the callers were seeking assistance for themselves, about a third were carers seeking assistance for a client or loved one, and nearly one fifth were health professionals.
The Continence Foundation of Australia offers a range of online information, support and resources to help people regain control of their bladder and bowel health at continence.org.au
- National Continence Helpline, 1800-330-066, Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, email helpline@continence.org.au
Incontinence facts
- More than five million Australians - one in four people aged 15 or over - are incontinent. By 2030, this is estimated to increase to 6.5 million
- 80 per cent of people with incontinence are women (just under half are aged over 50)
- The majority of people affected by incontinence can be cured or better managed
- People with incontinence also commonly experience depression and anxiety
- Incontinence impacts self-esteem, motivation, dignity and independence
