Australia leaks $100b from incontinence issue costs

Former Australian Diamonds netballer Kimberley Smith thought leaking during intense training sessions was normal. "I first noticed I was experiencing incontinence during particularly hard training sessions when I would leak," she said. "I just assumed it was normal and a sign I was pushing my body too far." But the then-18-year-old was among the many female athletes who experienced the debilitating medical condition well before pregnancy and childbirth which has led to life-long impacts. A decade later and after the birth of her first child, Ms Smith was diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder. Her incontinence worsened with each subsequent pregnancy until it was more persistent than the prolapse and affected her day-to-day life. "Incontinence can really impact your mental and emotional health, as well as limit your ability to participate in certain areas of life," she said. While Ms Smith now lives a full life after seeking help to manage her symptoms, she has had to modify her lifestyle and accepted she can no longer exercise to the level of intensity she once enjoyed. Incontinence describes the involuntary loss of urine or faeces through a lack of bladder or bowel control. The financial burden it has on Australia surpassed $100 billion in 2023, affecting about 7.2 million people, according to a report commissioned by Continence Foundation of Australia. About $66.6 billion was lost directly from health costs associated with the condition while lost wellbeing, including days off work, unemployment and seeking extra care and support, cost the nation $33.8 billion. There is an urgent need for comprehensive support, increased awareness and better treatment options for people affected by the condition, Continence Foundation of Australia chief executive Gian Sberna said of the findings. "With the right support, we can improve the lives of millions of Australians and reduce the enormous economic and social costs associated with incontinence," Dr Sberna said. Women are twice as likely to experience incontinence, but men still make up about 2.4 million of those affected with a large majority of people impacted aged below 65. Rural and regional residents reported concerns over access to services while the report also highlighted a lack of capability in the general health and aged care workforce to address the issue. By 2032, the report estimated about one-in-three Australians, or 8.6 million people, will be living with some degree of incontinence. The rise in incontinence cases is due to an aging population but also the destigmatisation of the condition, pelvic floor physiotherapist Lyz Evans said. She believes prevention and early intervention can help change the narrative around the stigma of the condition and a greater focus on personalised treatment could result in better outcomes. "The impact of incontinence goes far beyond just the symptoms - it affects every aspect of a person's life," she said. Continence Foundation of Australia is calling more government effort and investment to better record, support and treat all Australians experiencing incontinence issues.