New Survey from Always Discreet™ Bladder Protection Reveals Sensitive Bladders Can Make U.S. Women Feel Nearly a Decade Older

Crow’s feet, yes. Grey hair, definitely. But did you ever think your bladder could make you feel older? Nearly 13 million American women with sensitive bladders say their bladder leaks make them feel about nine years older than they actually are, according to a new IPSOS survey* from Always Discreet. Sensitive bladder is not always an age-related issue and shouldn’t be a taboo topic. This National Bladder Health Awareness Month, Always Discreet is on a mission to educate women about this health topic, normalize the conversation and help women feel protected and more confident. By spreading the word that women with sensitive bladders are not alone and that one in every three women ages 18 to 75 experiences bladder leaks, the topic becomes easier to discuss1.

“With age comes wisdom and experience, but it can also include new and unexpected signs of growing older that can impact your body and life,” said Barbara Hannah Grufferman, positive aging expert and author of the best-selling book The Best of Everything After 50. “National Bladder Health Awareness Month is a great time for women of all ages to assess their needs and learn how to manage their sensitive bladders, so they can live life to the fullest!”

The fact of the matter is, one in three women with sensitive bladders do not use any protection products, but for the women who do, many find they have an added benefit – more confidence! In fact, the new Always Discreet survey shows that most women with sensitive bladders (72 percent) who do use bladder protection say they feel more confident because of these products**. To help women feel no older than their actual age and to feel more confident, Always Discreet is encouraging them to get a free sample of their incredibly comfortable liners, pads and underwear on AlwaysDiscreet.com during National Bladder Health Awareness Month this November, while supplies last.

Bladder Leaks & Everyday Life

Revealing data from the new Always Discreet survey shows:

• Women with sensitive bladders feel less confident than those who don’t experience leaks, in certain situations like:
  • Travelling long distances
  • Being in an unknown or unfamiliar area
  • Being on a date or romantic night out with a partner
• A third of women with sensitive bladders (33 percent) admit they lack the confidence to wear the clothes they want and that they tend to wear dark colored clothing or loose clothing on their bottom half.
• One in two women (50 percent) with sensitive bladders wish they were having more sex in their life.
• A quarter of women (26 percent) with sensitive bladders admit their condition impacts their happiness.

By understanding that body changes are a natural part of being a woman and impact many, women can make positive changes and not let bladder leaks hold them back from activities they love.

How to Talk to a Doctor

The new Always Discreet survey shows that most women with sensitive bladders (74 percent) have not spoken to a health professional about experiencing leaks. For some women it can be a tough discussion, but it is important to remember that health care professionals are there to help. Always Discreet recommends that women keep a diary to help the doctor uncover any patterns as women seek the care they deserve.

“By teaming up with Always Discreet, I want to ensure all women have the confidence to talk to their health care professionals about their bladder health, and are inspired to feel youthful and energized about life, no matter what changes happen to their bodies, and this starts by using the right protection,” said Grufferman. “And with the right protection, women can feel empowered to take that long trip, go on that romantic night out, wear that fitted dress and live their best life!”

Backed by the Good Housekeeping seal of approval2 and a money back guarantee, Always Discreet’s liners, pads and underwear are designed to offer protection and discretion, in a flattering feminine design, that absorbs leaks and odors in seconds. Always Discreet pads are up to 40 percent thinner than the leading brand and absorb twice as much fluid as women may need, based on the average consumer usage of incontinence products. The curve-hugging, disposable Always Discreet underwear is easy to wear and has the extra protection of Dual LeakGuard barriers™ to help stop leaks where they are most likely to occur.

Always Discreet liners, pads and underwear are available in all major supermarkets, pharmacies and mass retail locations. For additional information about Always Discreet products or to learn more about managing a sensitive bladder, please visit AlwaysDiscreet.com.

* About the Always Discreet Survey & Methodology
Always has a rich heritage of supporting women through their life stages and now offers Always Discreet, a range of incontinence liners, pads and pants designed to light to heavy degrees of bladder sensitivity. The Always Discreet US Survey was conducted using the IPSOS Panel that surveyed a total of 400 American Women (aged 35 to 65 years old): one group of 200 women who have experienced any urine loss/bladder weakness in the past three months and one group of 200 women who had not experienced bladder weakness. Significance testing between the two groups was done at 90% confidence level. The survey was implemented between the dates of September 15, 2015 through September 25, 2015.

**In the study there are 65 women with sensitive bladders who use specific products for bladder leaks.

About Always

Always®, the world's leader in feminine protection, offers a wide range of feminine pads, wipes and pantiliners designed to fit different body types, period flows and preferences and offers puberty and period advice for teens through BeingGirl.com. The Always line of products includes Always Infinity™, Always Ultra Thins, Always Maxis, Always Pantiliners and Always Feminine Wipes. Always now offers a full line of incontinence products - new Always Discreet for sensitive bladders. Please visit Always.com or AlwaysDiscreet.com for more information.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

1 Fem Care AI analysis – Nielsen Homescan Panel ending March 2012 looking at Fem Care purchases in HH 50+ that have no teenagers at home.

2 Based on review by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute

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