Kate Winslet reveals her stress incontinence prevents her from engaging in this physical activity
Kate Winslet has raised awareness of the urinary condition after sharing her personal experience with Graham Norton
Kate Winslet has opened up about her struggles with stress incontinence in a recent interview, revealing the impact of the condition on physical activities.
Speaking with Graham Norton on his hit Saturday night talk show, the Oscar-award-winning actor admitted she avoids certain pastimes for fear of accidentally urinating.
“I can’t jump on trampolines anymore; I wet myself,” Kate said.
Stress incontinence refers to the unintentional bladder leakage that occurs after bodily pressure, such as coughing, jumping, and sneezing. It can also be caused by lifting weights and exercising, making it a particularly pesky problem for avid gym-goers.
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The condition can even limit wardrobe choices, with many women sticking to trousers or jeans in case of a leak.
"It's bloody awful, especially if you're wearing a skirt,” Kate added. "When you've had a few children, you know, it's just what happens.”
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While stress incontinence can affect anyone, Kate’s right - those who’ve been through childbirth are more at risk. Women who have had a vaginal delivery also tend to suffer from the condition more than those who’ve had a cesarean section.
For Kate, an itchy nose can be enough to trigger an incident. "It's amazing, two sneezes, I'm fine. Three, it's game over,” she said.
Kate isn’t the first famous woman to speak candidly about the condition. Nadia Sawalha opened up about her experience with incontinence in 2017 on Loose Women, admitting to having once wet herself live on air.
"I just thought that was going to be my life now,” she told her fellow panelists. “Sometimes there can be weeks where it's much worse than others."
The outspoken host went on to discuss her feelings of shame surrounding stress incontinence, as well as her reluctance to address it with her husband, Mark. She has since taken a proactive approach to the issue, assuring viewers that there are many ways to relieve the severity of the condition.
“Because it's such a taboo, it's so important that as women, we do talk about it because you don't have to accept it. There are so many things you can do."
Several measures can be taken to greatly reduce symptoms, including pelvic floor exercises, maintaining a healthy weight, and restricting intake of caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
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