Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is promoting World Continence Awareness Week to help break the silence on the taboo.

Incontinence and bladder-related problems are now more common than asthma, diabetes and epilepsy combined. One in three women and 10 per cent of men suffer from some form of incontinence, and contrary to the belief it affects only the elderly, incontinence is experienced by people of all ages.

Many are too embarrassed to seek help and suffer in silence, when there is so much help available.

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, provides continence services both at Stepping Hill Hospital and at Buxton Hospital for High Peak residents

Stepping Hill carries out over 1700 surgical procedures each year. These include vaginal mesh implants, which the hospital has a 100% safety record on. The team also use the latest treatments, including Botox injected into bladders to promote stability.

70% of the team’s work is non- surgical.  This includes support for patients with their diet and weight loss, pelvic floor training, fluid management and stopping smoking; all elements which can affect continence. Physiotherapy support is a vital part of the service.

Dr Magda Kujawa, consultant urologist and continence specialist at Stepping Hill Hospital said, “It is important to raise awareness about incontinence. It is a physical and emotional condition and it impacts people in both ways. There is a great deal of embarrassment around incontinence issues, but if people take the first step in in talking about it and seeking help, they will find there is often a solution”.