While we're increasingly aware of the importance of being open about issues affecting our quality of life, one area remains taboo.
Three million women have an overactive bladder, which is characterised by a frequent urge to urinate that can come on unexpectedly and be hard to control.
This often leads to urinary incontinence (the leaking of urine). But an overactive bladder can affect your life in many other ways too, from disrupting sleep to making you anxious about going far from a loo.
Jude, a brand of all natural supplements, is working to bust the taboo around bladder health and help women live their lives with confidence.
Busting the taboo around bladder health will help more women live their lives with confidence
Founded by Peony Li in 2022 and featured onDragons' Den, Jude's Bladder Strength Supplements have been tried and tested by more than 40,000 women in the UK - generating hundreds of five-star Trustpilot reviews.
DrJilani: Four ways to help with bladder urges
There are different causes of bladder issues, and it is always important to see a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis. However, generally speaking, most people would benefit from:
1) Pelvic floor exercises to increase the strength of their pelvic floor following menopause – you can work with a pelvic floor physiotherapist to achieve this.
2) Avoid bladder irritants if you have an overactive bladder. These include citrus fruits, caffeine, alcohol, and tomatoes.
3) Bladder retraining is a good option for people with an overactive bladder, and it can be a supervised programme with a healthcare professional.
4) Consider medication or procedures that your GP may be able to prescribe to support you.
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And in a promising sign that people are becoming more open, they've evenlaunched a Facebookgroup where over 12,000 women share advice and inspiration.
Dr Masarat Jilani, a GP with an interest in genito-urinary health and Jude's resident doctor,says womengoing through menopause often have bladder control issues linked to declining levels of the sex hormone oestrogen.
'During menopause, around 50% of women can experience symptoms related to the lack of oestrogen in the genital area, bladder, and pelvic floor. These can include an overactive bladder and urinary incontinence,' she explains.
'The loss of oestrogen leads to a weakening of tissue around the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder) and weakening of the pelvic floor.
'It also causes a loss of elasticity and strength in the pelvic floor, making leaks when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise more common.'
Unlike other bladder incontinence brands that contain leaks with pads and nappies, Jude's Bladder Strength Supplements offer targeted support backed by science.
Each capsule contains soy germ extract - a source of natural phytoestrogens - and pumpkin oil, which is packed with nutrients includingmagnesium, potassium and zinc.
Together, soy germ extract and pumpkin seed extract have been shown to reduce urination frequency and that feeling of urgency*.
They are so effective that nine out of ten participants in a clinical trial said they improved their quality of life,** while afurther 66 per cent reported fewer daily leaks and 70 per cent fewer night-time bathroom visits.
Emma Skeates, an influencer who runs popular Instagram account @menopausemayhemmothers, is among those raving aboutJude's Bladder Strength Supplements
She says: 'For about three years into my menopauseI was wearing big bulky pads, because every time I laughed or sneezed, there was leakage.
'Since taking Jude, I don't have to worry about that anymore. I can now laugh wherever I want, worry free!'
Dr Jilaniinsists it's wrong to see bladder issues as a natural part of ageing that you have to put up with.
'Although it is very common, it is not ''normal'', and no one should suffer in silence, as there is a lot of help available,' she says.
Jude's Bladder Strength Supplements are so effective that nine out of ten participants in a clinical trial said they improved their quality of life. File photo
Before taking supplements, she advises speaking to your doctor to ensure theysuit your needs and are compatible with other medications you may be taking.
This will also provide the chance to discuss any bladder symptoms with them to check you have the correct diagnosis, as they can be caused by many different conditions.
Dr Jilani adds: 'In a randomised control trial of the Jude formulation versus placebo, 95% of the women who had taken the supplement for 12 weeks wanted to continue.
'Therefore, Jude recommends trying the supplement for 12 weeks to see if you notice the same benefit.'
'I'm speechless and spillproof, thank you doesn't seem enough': Jude customer Sharon
Sharon says Jude has 'helped so much'
Sharon O'Neill gave birth to a son in 2001 and began experiencing difficulties with her bladder shortly afterwards.
'I couldn't hold my water, so when I got the urge to go it was too late and I was incontinent almost immediately,' she says.'I was having to wash my clothes almost daily and spending more and more money on pads.
'Sneezing and coughing would cause leaks too, so if I had a cold I would automatically be more anxious about leaks and smells.When I began going through menopausethe incontinence became a lot worse - I was waking for the toilet up to three times a night.
'I heard about Jude through an email from a member of a support group I am in.It has helped me so much - I am sleeping better without having to constantly get up to go to the loo.
'Last week I noticed that I needed the loo, whereas before I usually didn't get the urge until it was too late. The nearest toilet was busy, so I walked to the other loos without any rush before getting there without spilling a drop!
'That was all very odd after 22 years of racing to get to a loo and panicking when I found it occupied. Thank you seems far too small, but it's all I have. I'm speechless and spillproof! – I may get that printed on a T-shirt!'
Get 20% off Jude supplements by using the code DAILY20 atwearejude.com.
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*‘A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of a product containing pumpkin seed extract and soy germ extract to improve overactive bladder-related voiding dysfunction and quality of life’: Journal of Functional Foods, April 2014.
**'Effect of Supplementation with High Genistein Soybean Isoflavones and Pumpkin Standardized Extract on Urinary Incontinence in Western Perimenopausal Women': Journal of Gynecology and Women's Health, March 2017.
