The Bladder and Bowel CONfidence Health Integration Team (BABCON HIT) worked together with Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Jen Pinkstone from the department of Urogynaecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery at North Bristol NHS Trust, and Motion Graphics Designer, Paddy Wright, to create a video to explain the importance of pelvic floor muscle training for women.
The video also includes instructions on how to train the pelvic floor muscle, which is a key way of controlling some types of incontinence.
According to NHS England, it has been estimated that around 1 in 3 (34%) women in the UK are affected by bladder problems and approximately 1 in 10 experience bowel control difficulties. This could be higher as talking about these symptoms can be very difficult.
“Often women live with incontinence issues as they believe nothing can be done to improve their symptoms. Many believe that it is an inevitable part of ageing or to be expected following childbirth, but it shouldn’t be something that women feel like they should just endure and can’t get support or help with,” said Dr Nikki Cotterill, BABCON HIT Director and Associate Professor in Continence Care, University of West of England and Bristol Urological Institute, North Bristol NHS Trust.
“We hope that this video can enable women to improve their
symptoms through self-help and healthcare professionals can also use the video
as a tool to support their patients, particularly those who offer postnatal
care.”
*Image credit: Hampton Wick Health