Bladder issues top money, family and work problems as sensitive topic for Canadian men

The Locker Room addresses need for bladder health information, offers Canadian men online resource

TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Think talking about money, family concerns, or issues at work might be touchy topics? Try talking about bladder problems. According to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid, many Canadian men feel bladder issues are a more delicate topic of discussion than other typically sensitive subjects.ⁱ

The Locker Room (www.intheLockerRoom.ca), launched today, aims to help facilitate the bladder health conversation, offering men an educational program developed to improve their quality of life by helping them better understand and seek help for bladder-related issues such as overactive bladder (OAB).

The fact is, 12 to 18 per cent of Canadian men suffer from overactive bladder.ⁱⁱ While women tend to discuss the condition and seek treatment for OAB more than their male counterparts, both men and women have the same chances of developing this condition.ⁱⁱⁱ

"Credible online resources such as The Locker Room are essential to helping men - and women - better understand the conditions they might not be comfortable discussing," says Dr. Gerald Brock, Professor of Surgery, Division of Urology, Urology Program Director, University of Western Ontario. "In the case of overactive bladder, the condition can be well managed but that success begins with quality information and open discussion with a healthcare professional."

The survey also suggests that even if they're not sharing bladder health concerns with one another, Canadian men do seem open to discussing their health with a physician and searching out credible health information. In fact, while nearly one half (45%) say it would be 'difficult' to talk about an issue like having bladder problems (going to the bathroom too many times, leakage, etc.), eight in ten (78%) say that they would consult their doctor if they needed more information on a health issue they had, and nearly half (45%) of Canadian men would consult the internet.^iv

About Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic medical condition that is marked by the sudden and sometimes uncomfortable need to urinate. This can occur at any time during the day or night, and it may or may not result in the leakage of urine.

Overactive bladder occurs when the bladder's smooth muscle, known as the detrusor muscle, squeezes while the bladder is still filling instead of when it is completely full. When this muscle squeezes, signals are sent to the brain resulting in the urge to urinate.

This urgency sometimes leads to more trips than normal to the bathroom and for some people, an involuntary loss of urine. Overactive bladder can be both frustrating and embarrassing. For patients who experience urge incontinence - the involuntary leakage of urine accompanied or preceded by urgency - this can be distressful and sometimes debilitating.

It is recommended that people who have symptoms of overactive bladder undergo a medical and physical examination by their doctor to evaluate their medical history, severity of symptoms, the impact of the condition on their lifestyle and assessment of treatment options.^v

It is not uncommon for people with an overactive bladder to avoid or even stop physical or public activities altogether and put their lives on hold. A proper diagnosis and discussion around overactive bladder with a doctor is essential to long-term solutions for OAB.^vi

 About The Locker Room

The Locker Room (www.intheLockerRoom.ca) is a national and fully bilingual educational program developed to improve the quality of life of men with OAB by helping them to understand, manage and treat the condition.

The Locker Room was developed in collaboration with Canadian healthcare professionals and is supported by a grant from Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., a leader in the field of urology.

More information can be found at www.intheLockerRoom.ca.

______________________________
ⁱ Lifting the Lid of Men's Bladder Health. Ipsos Reid Survey, 2011
ⁱⁱ The Locker Room "A Quick Guide to Overactive Bladder" Slim Jim 
ⁱⁱⁱ The Locker Room "A Quick Guide to Overactive Bladder" Slim Jim
^iv Lifting the Lid of Men's Bladder Health. Ipsos Reid Survey, 2011
^v The Locker Room "A Quick Guide to Overactive Bladder" Slim Jim
^vi "OAB Diagnosis" www.inthelockerroom.ca

For more information or to book an interview, please contact

Stephanie Fitch
energiPR
Tel : [phone] x17
Toll-free: 1.866.337.3362 x17
Cell: 647-400-8159