Psst! Why is it that men just don’t like talking about personal stuff? A survey by OnePoll in 2016 was conducted on 2000 men aged over 18 and the results astounded me.

I was chatting this through with Mutha Fitness and she agreed that men are quite happy to talk about farting and nearly shitting themselves yet not about other personal issues. I’ve recently teamed up with the guys from TENA Men to raise awareness around urine leakage. I’m therefore proud to be part of the TENA Men League of Ordinary Gentlemen.

Let’s Talk

This is a really serious subject and one that 1 in 4 men over the age of 40 experience. Now I know lots of blokes over the age of 40 yet I know no one who has a bladder problem. It may be a coincidence but I believe looking at the stats that I must know at least one bloke who suffers with a weak bladder!

Amy has openly said she knows which friends leaks urine when running and those who wouldn’t even dare can’t go on a trampoline for fear of wetting themselves. Women talk freely about bladder weakness. When it comes to blokes opening up about this kind of stuff, 18% of men confessed they would rather give up going to the gym for a whole year than admit the problem!

There are going to be two kinds of men reading this blog post. Some will not be experiencing urine leakage and some will. Therefore, I would like to introduce their product range to the men that do and I would now like to talk to the men that don’t about how you can help yourself avoid it.

Let’s Move

If you’ve ever been to your GP, they’ll suggest three things: Pelvic floor exercises, bladder training and lifestyle changes. Now with lifestyle changes, they’re probably going to suggest losing weight. Exercise and activity can make a real difference to your weight and your health as well as your state of mind. Being more active will help you use up more calories as well as keeping your mind off food!

It doesn’t have to mean going to classes or taking up jogging. It’s more about finding something that suits you – something which is safe and enjoyable. Aim to increase your activity levels gradually and start by aiming for up to half an hour of moderate exercise a day on at least four days of the week. Then build this up gradually if you require help with your weight loss.

You can build activity into your everyday life with a bit of thought and determination. Walking is particularly good because it doesn’t cost anything and you don’t require special kit. Some people have found that taking the stairs instead of the lift and walking to the shops instead of taking the car can make a big difference.

If more structured exercise appeals to you, try swimming or exercise classes. Find out from your local sports centre which sessions they run and which ones appeal to you. Remember that for weight loss and heart health, you need to get slightly breathless and a little bit hot and sweaty for it to be worthwhile. If you have any health problems, please check with a doctor before starting a physical activity programme.

Let’s Act

Don’t let certain health issues like urine leakage take over your life. Don’t ignore the problem and don’t be embarrassed. 1 in 4 men are potentially suffering in silence and urine leakage could be a symptom of further medical issues such as prostate cancer. Now is the time to act!

I will be posting various things throughout Men’s Health Week, which is the 12th– 18th of June.

Don’t suffer in silence. Let’s talk, let’s move and let’s act.