According to UK Gov statistics, 14 million people in the UK are living with some degree of urinary incontinence. That’s a quarter of the entire population. You’d think that such a common problem affecting so many people would be talked about more, but it’s still kind of a taboo isn’t it? Imagine now not being able to afford incontinence products, or laundry detergent to clean your clothes and bedding. This is the reality of thousands of people across the UK who are silently living in hygiene poverty.
The Hygiene Bank (THB) has recently partnered with Vivactive, the UK’s leading incontinence retailer to raise money for those pulled into hygiene poverty. It’s Vivactive’s mission to make premium quality incontinence products truly affordable. Having noticed that people shopping in supermarkets and pharmacies were paying way over the odds just to feel comfortable and protected, Vivactive entered the market to offer people confidence without the cost – with items up to 50% cheaper than what you’d find on the high street. This is of big help for families with low incomes and those who are struggling to get by.
Access to cheaper incontinence products can make a difference between staying at home and feeling lonely or going out and seeing your friends, but there is also a few things people who suffer from incontinence can do to help manage it. First, let’s look at some of the different types that exist:
- Stress incontinence – caused by things like coughing, sneezing, or exercise.
- Urge incontinence – a sudden, intense urge to pee followed by leakage.
- Overflow incontinence – when your bladder doesn’t completely empty. Which leads to frequent dribbles.
- Functional incontinence – physical or mental impairment prevents getting to the toilet in time.
Top tips to manage urinary incontinence from home
With a few lifestyle changes and the right products, you can help ease symptoms of bladder weakness. If you haven’t done so already, you should get in touch with your GP if you’re worried about your bladder leakage.
- Incorporate bladder boosting foods and drinks into your diet: The nutrients you put into your body are super important for strengthening your bladder. Water and cranberry juice are both great choices for bladder health. You should also avoid caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks as they can make symptoms worse.
- Create a toilet schedule: Rather than waiting for the urge to pee, you can be proactive and empty your bladder in advance. This is sometimes called timed voiding or bladder training. By setting a toilet schedule, you can help to reduce your risk of having an accident.
- Perform some pelvic floor exercises: Pelvic floor strength is a really important part of urinary incontinence management. A strong pelvic floor will help you control your urine, and in the long run will be super beneficial for your body. The most common pelvic floor exercise is a kegel. To perform a kegel:
- Empty your bladder before starting
- Imagine you’re urinating and you suddenly need to stop mid-stream (alternatively, imagine you are trying to stop passing wind)
- You should feel a contraction inside your body in the pelvic area
- Hold the contraction for 3 to 5 seconds, then release
- Wait 3 to 5 seconds and then repeat the contraction
- You can perform this stood up, sat down, or lay down
- Our partner Vivactive sells affordable incontinence protection: There are lots of useful products to keep you feeling confident and dry while on the go or at home. The most common you might see are discreet pads, small, absorbent liners that sit inside your underwear to absorb small amounts of urine. But, retailers like Vivactive stock everything you might need. Wearables such as large pads, disposable pants and adult nappies, as well as furniture protection such as bed pads, mattresses and odour cleaners. A high quality, affordable incontinence product will give you the confidence and protection you need to live your best life.
Our partnership reflects Vivactive’s ongoing commitment to making a difference in the lives of people pulled into hygiene poverty. Their customers contribute to fundraising efforts by donating a small amount with each purchase. This showcases the power of collective action and compassion for those most in need in our society.
“We are immensely proud to support The Hygiene Bank in their vital work to end hygiene poverty in the UK. Hygiene poverty is an issue that affects 4.2 million people across the UK, and this partnership allows us, along with our incredible customers, to give back to the community in a meaningful way,” said the Vivactive Team.
Ruth Brock, CEO at The Hygiene Bank says “I am so grateful to Vivactive and their customers for joining The Hygiene Bank in the fight against hygiene poverty. Partnerships like this are crucial in helping us extend our reach and provide basic hygiene products to more people pulled into hygiene poverty across the UK. The support from Vivactive and their customers is a shining example of how businesses can make a positive impact in the lives of many.”
If you’re experiencing urinary incontinence, try to remember that you’re not alone. THB is working with Vivactive to provide incontinence products to those who need them. If you are a charitable organisation and want to receive incontinence products, sign up to become a community partner here.
