Incontinence may be the last taboo topic in America. The inability to control urination (Overactive Bladder or OAB) is a treatable, and often curable, problem faced by more than 13 million Americans, 85 percent of whom are women. Unfortunately less than half of those with the condition have ever talked about the problem with a health care professional. Many of those who do are dissatisfied with the most commonly prescribed medications. Most stop taking the medications rather than endure the side effects. They then have to tolerate the life-disrupting symptoms of OAB.
As part of their "No More Compromises!" campaign the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and the National Association for Continence (NAFC) commissioned a December 2002, national survey of more than 1,200 women between the ages of 40 and 65. The on-line survey found that two-thirds (66 percent) of OAB sufferers taking oral medications were not completely satisfied with their treatment. They said they tolerate bothersome side effects such as dry mouth (80 percent), constipation (74 percent) and gastrointestinal and/or stomach problems (73 percent). In fact, side effects are a leading reason for patients to stop taking medication. OAB sufferers who have stopped treatment endure the life-disrupting symptoms of OAB such as involuntary urine loss (89 percent), frequent urination (62 percent) and loss of sleep because they must get up in the middle of the night to urinate (92 percent).
"Women need to know that there is no need to make these compromises and that there's no need to suffer from the symptoms of overactive bladder disease, "said Amy Niles, president of the National Women's Health Resource Center. "There are new treatment options available that can help them reclaim their lives."
To learn more about OAB, visit the newly expanded topic area, Overactive Bladder, on the NWHRC's Web site, www.healthywomen.org.
"It is time women say, `No more compromises. I'm going to do something about the problem'," said Amy Niles, President of the National Women's Health Resource Center. "That's why we've expanded our Web site to include information on the various forms of incontinence and we are working closely with the National Association for Continence to give women the information they need to talk with their health care professionals."
The National Association for Continence, NWHRC's partner in the campaign, is the world's largest and most prolific consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who live with incontinence and related voiding dysfunction. More information about NAFC is available at its Web site www.bladdercontrol.com or by calling 1-800-BLADDER.
National Women's Health Resource Center, Inc.
The National Women's Health Resource Center is the nation's leading independent, nonprofit organization specifically dedicated to educating women of all ages about health and wellness issues. Its Web site, www.healthywomen.org, is a one-stop shop for women's health.
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For more information:
Beverly Dame, 1-888-406-9472
For more information on Overactive Bladder, please visit the Health Center.
