CONTINENCE is something many of us take for granted, but 1.34 million Australian men and boys don't have that luxury.
This week is World Continence Week and the Continence Foundation of Australia is using the occasion to raise awareness of the BINS4Blokes campaign.
BINS4Blokes is an Australia-wide awareness and advocacy campaign promoting the installation of disposal bins for incontinence products in male public toilets.
Men's health advocate Alan White knows first hand how embarrassing and frustrating dealing with incontinence can be.
The author of We've Lost My Prostate Mate...And Life Goes On has survived two courses of prostate cancer treatment.
"Some days I could go for a few hours before having to take a leak, but then there would be days where I was going every half an hour," he said.
"I found this emotionally draining, to the point of one day sitting on the toilet and crying."
He said these days his continence was "good".
"I still have an occasional leak, but it is important to remember that every man will recover from surgery or radiotherapy differently."
Continence Foundation of Australia spokesperson Greg Ryan has also faced his own struggles with incontinence after being born with a congenital abnormality called imperforate anus.
"I am a footy fanatic, however I frequently reconsider going to the ground due to the fact there is nowhere for me to dispose of my pads," he said.
"If we can get bins into sports grounds, shopping centres and public toilets everywhere, I will be able to go out with confidence knowing that I can use the bins in a private and dignified way."
Greg wrote his own book A Secret Life, detailing his private battle with incontinence.
A study of Australian men with urinary incontinence found 57 per cent kept accidents secret from those close to them and 50 per cent avoided situations where they could not easily access toilets.
The installation of disposal bins in male public toilets will also reduce the number of incontinence products being flushed or disposed of inappropriately.
The initiative is calling for the development of nationally consistent standards and installation of bins for incontinence products in all male public toilets.
Those experiencing incontinence should seek help by calling the free National Continence Helpline on 1800-330-066.
To pledge your support, nominate where you would like to see a BIN4Blokes or find out other ways to get involved, click here.