As Brits head into pubs, rugby clubs and other venues to watch the Rugby Union Six Nations in the new year, Lewis Moody is encouraging men to speak more openly about their health. The ex-England Rugby captain is calling for a level playing field for those suffering with male incontinence. Having suffered from ulcerative colitis throughout his playing career for twenty years, he’s all too familiar with the symptoms of incontinence, in his case bowel incontinence.

Bladder & Bowel UK charity has launched the campaign Stalls for All calling on the Government to introduce legislation to make sanitary disposal bins compulsory in male public bathrooms. Currently, male incontinence sufferers can struggle to live a normal life due to a lack of bins in toilets.

NHS England data shows that an estimated 14 million people in the UK suffer with bladder problems and an estimated 6.5 million adults suffer with bowel problems. Whilst incontinence is typically associated with women or older men, the research found that just under 40% of the survey respondents who have the issue were actually young men, aged between 18 and 34 Lewis Moody MBE, says

“Suffering with incontinence was debilitating, but even more so was the taboo that surrounded talking about ‘toilet problems’ and the lack of sanitary waste facilities available. I was at the height of my career when I started experiencing problems. At first, I found it too embarrassing to speak to my teammates, friends and family about what I was going through, but when I did I felt more at ease and able to deal with it.

 

“Sadly people often think incontinence only affects older people, but it can affect people as young as 10. So it’s important that we create an environment where sufferers feel comfortable sharing their experiences and accessing the support they need. I hope this campaign ignites a nationwide conversation and helps to break down the stigma around incontinence.”


Pictured: Former England Rugby captain Lewis Moody  joins Jamie Woodhall, Initial Washroom Hygiene as part of its ‘Stalls for All’ campaign

 

Simon Powell, President of Bradford on Avon RFC, a rugby club local to Moody says: “Hearing from Lewis and Bladder and Bowel UK has really made me think about the facilities we have in the club, and what should be available for all men to feel comfortable. I am sure that even if a minority of our male members did suffer from incontinence, they would be unlikely to speak up and ask for the waste disposal facilities they need to be able to live a normal life away from home.”
About Bladder and Bowel UK
Bladder & Bowel UK support bladder and bowel health for everyone, offering a confidential helpline offering advice from specialist nurses and product experts. Find essential information about preventing and dealing with bladder and bowel issues for adults, children and professionals at www.bbuk.org.uk.