Do Incontinence Support Groups Actually Help?

It might be 2 am, and you find yourself feeling the isolation you have inflicted on yourself. Deep in thought, over the impact of the condition you are faced with.

You don’t talk about it at work.

You don’t bring it up with friends.

You’ve typed it in the message many a time, just to talk about it with those closest to you, but before you can hit send, you've already deleted it, again.

Though it may feel like you are facing this alone, the fact of the matter is you are not, but why?

Because hardly anyone admits they live with it, and because of this, the stigma to speak about what you are dealing with exists.

That’s where support groups and online communities come in. The question is, do they really help?

Why People Look for Support

Incontinence's physical impact on our body consequently creates mental impacts. It changes how you think about yourself. You lose confidence. What you want to do today feels variable to whether your bladder will allow you to.

The problem is, you lock yourself in a prison over this mindset, and try to avoid it at all costs due to how minuet it has made you feel. The more you bottle it up, the heavier it becomes, and you carry more than you can hold.

However, if you can unload what you have bottled up, you will find it easier to carry.

This is the benefit of a support group, with the continued innovation online, it is easier now more than ever before to find people in your situation.

What You Actually Get

The subreddit r/incontinence has created a community where those dealing with incontinence. Members can discuss any issues they are facing, share tips on products that feel comfortable, exercises that make a difference, and small routines that keep their life moving.

Knowledge comes from lived experience, and what support groups offer is the ability to not only be empowered by how others have dealt with scenarios but also to empower others who are facing what you are going through.

The biggest shift is psychological. Knowing you’re not the only one living with leaks changes the story in your head. It takes incontinence out of the shadows and makes it something you can manage, not something that defines you.

Online forums also offer you anonymity if you want. You can read, listen, and take what you need without putting your name to it. That kind of quiet support is often the first step to speaking up with a doctor or family.

What They Can’t Do

A support group isn’t treatment. It won’t rebuild your pelvic floor or shrink an enlarged prostate. It doesn't replace the doctor, and it's also important to take what you read online with a hint of scepticism and not as an authority.

What it will change is the way you approach things. Knowing you're not alone is a great first step to seeking proper medical advice, sticking with rehab, or trying products that work for you.

The Bottom Line

Support groups and online communities make it bearable. They give you language, perspective, and proof that you’re not the only one living with it.

For some, they’re the start of getting help. For others, they’re the safety net that makes bad days easier.

Either way, you don’t have to do it alone.

Bladder and bowel incontinence may be caused by conditions which can be treated medically. Please consult your physician for medical advice and guidance. All sources used in this article are cited below.