The Elephant in the Room

Full disclosure: I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for Depend. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with Depend and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.

“What I feared was the onset of incontinence was simply a mid-laugh crisis.”Venita Louise

A little humor can go a long way when dealing with life’s challenges. But the topic of incontinence isn’t funny for people who suffer from the affliction.

The condition is rarely mentioned, because let’s face it, it is embarrassing. But, millions of Americans have bladder control issues, (also known as incontinence). The condition can affect anyone – not just older people. Bladder control issues can also affect young people, particularly women who have given birth or men who have been treated for prostate cancer. For those who suffer, their lifestyles can be greatly affected. Many sufferers feel like they are prisoners in their own homes, fearful to go out in public in case they have an accident. Sometimes, a sneeze, cough or a laugh can put enough pressure on the bladder to cause leakage.

wpid-storageemulated0DCIMCamera2014-02-05-20.42.51.jpg.jpg When I was first asked to write about incontinence and Depend® products for my blog, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to bring up this delicate subject matter. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought, “why not?” Though I don’t suffer from this, maybe some of my readers do. And if they don’t, maybe they are caregivers for someone who does suffer from bladder leakage.

 

wpid-storageemulated0DCIMCamera2014-02-05-20.44.05.jpg.jpgI received a package of Depend® underwear for women, and opened the contents. I was really surprised at how thin and lightweight they are, and how flexible the material is. Made with Lycra®, the garments look like they would be comfortable to wear, and everyday movement could be done with ease. These products could easily be worn under one’s regular clothing and not be detected. Depend® Underwear with Flex-Fit® is available for both men and women, plus there are other leakage-control products available: light, moderate and maximum absorbency levels.

Years ago, when I had a conversation with my doctor about a health issue, he gave me some very sound advice. To paraphrase him, “When your quality of life is affected, that’s when you know you need to take action.” After reading and researching about incontinence, it pained me to know that so many people had given up things they loved due to bladder issues: socializing with friends and family; sports and exercise; travel and more. Many who suffer incontinence also suffer from self-esteem issues and shame. As technology and materials become more user-friendly, it is good to know that health aids, such as Depend® products, could make a positive difference in someone’s life, allowing them to return to the activities they enjoyed.

Depend® has posted videos on their website, featuring the personal journeys of people with bladder control issues and highlighting how these products made a difference in the quality of their lives, giving them the freedom and confidence to get back to living. Here is a link where you can watch their inspirational stories.

It is reassuring to know that progress has been made in the development of good products to help with bladder control. If you, or someone you care for, is experiencing incontinence, check out the full line of Depend products by visiting their website, where you will also have an opportunity to request a free sample. The website also offers links for “Community & Support” and for “Caregivers.”

© Lynne Cobb – 2014

I hope this review was helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please post in the comment section. If you feel this information will help someone, please feel free to share this post.

11 Replies to “The Elephant in the Room”

  1. They should put those in the vending machines at Airtime. Just sayin’. Also, don’t care how comfy they are; they’re still ugly. If you don’t want to feel like a “granny” in them, then maybe someone should work to not make them look like granny-panties.

  2. Lynne – Very interesting article. After reading your post, I can say that I now know more than I did before about this condition. I just hope I won’t need these in the future. You have described the product in great detail.

  3. While I agree with Debbie’s post, we’ve used this product for my mother for several years. There’s really no other alternative, and thank goodness for adult diapers. I used to carry extras in my tote bag whenever I took my mom to the doctor, and it felt reassuring to know they were there…. just like having diapers for my baby many years ago 🙂

    1. It is reassuring to be able to make sure one in our care is not embarrassed, especially in public. Thanks for sharing, Cindy.

  4. A friend of mine traveled on a long, long plane ride….w/several plane changes….she opted to try Depends to prevent any accidents…and loved them. My husband were in DC and I knew we would be walking all day long…it is a walking kind of town…sometimes a long, long way to a restroom, so I, too, tried Depends. They were comfortable, and didn’t show at all, and gave me peace of mind! I had no problem enjoying my long day of sightseeing. I also suffer with IBS and while I had no trouble with that, it was one less worry. Now I will keep them on hand for any future events.

    1. Landra, go to Depends.com they have a couple of suggestions for this problem.
      I, also, suffer from IBS…they had some good info,

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