New research for continence care brand TENA has found that bladder leaks stop one in three British women from crossing the start line, potentially causing them to miss out on sporting glory. The study says 74% of women are embarrassed by the issue and seven in 10 'can't face socialising' due to it.
This has led to one in three women leaving sport before the age of 25, meaning thousands watching this year's Commonwealth Games could have been performing themselves. The issue affects women of all ages, with nearly a third (29%) of Gen Z women and half (50%) of millennials experiencing bladder leaks.
Impact on Young Women
Almost two-thirds (65%) of Gen Z women who experience bladder leaks say it caused them to give up or cut back on sport, while nearly one in five (18%) have quit altogether. It is believed 10 million women are leaving sport early due to bladder leaks.
However, the study says a significant 83% of people who have stopped sport believe simple changes like regular Kegel exercises would have helped keep them active for longer. TENA says they have assembled a Pelvic Power Squad to help drive education around pelvic health and have taken to the streets of Glasgow as it hosts the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Elite Athletes Speak Out
Olympic pole vault bronze medallist Holly Bradshaw has joined forces with leading powerlifter Emily Westray, who has spoken openly about her bladder leak challenges in competition. Together with women's fitness and pelvic health expert Shakira Akabusi, they are sharing their experiences of bladder health while highlighting strategies for improving pelvic health.
Holly said: "As a new mother, I'm highly aware of the issue of bladder leaks and the importance of maintaining good pelvic health. As this week's action has shown, sport can be such an incredible outlet for building confidence, meeting like-minded people and improving your overall wellbeing. There are so many barriers facing women in sport. It's incredibly frustrating that this often-preventable issue remains so common. We know that bladder health can be a taboo topic, but it shouldn't have to be. The more we can educate women, the greater the chance we have of keeping them active and involved in sport."
Powerlifter Westray added: "Having experienced my own bladder health challenges in competition, I know just how disconcerting this can initially be. But there's no shame in leaking, whatever the reason, and it certainly doesn't have to mean the end of your sporting journey. There are things you can do, including strengthening your pelvic floor muscles through exercises such as Kegels, modifying exercise routines and, in some cases, seeking medical advice. It's so important to keep women in sport and enjoying the amazing feeling it can give you."
Campaign and Resources
Mark Geddes, senior brand manager at TENA, said: "Our research suggests that more than 10 million women are leaving sport early due to bladder leaks. Every woman deserves the chance to reach her full potential in sport, whatever that looks like to her. Whether they're chasing podiums, personal bests or simply the joy of being active, no woman should be forced to step away and wonder what might have been. We don't want bladder leaks to be the reason women miss out on opportunities, confidence or sporting success. That's why we've created a collection of resources such as our broadcast channel and an educational content series to provide greater pelvic support and advice to those in need."
