4 Celebrities Who Have Incontinence

Celebrities are increasingly talking about other ‘taboo’ issues such as mental health struggles, parenting issues and more but is there evidence that more celebrities are sharing their journey in relation to bladder leaks? 

Kate Winslet  

The popular UK actress has talked publicly about being unable to get onto a trampoline since having children because she fears that she will leak. This is a form of stress incontinence caused by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure as you bounce up and down. Winslet has famously talked about other taboo issues such as women ageing in the public eye. On the popular BBC radio programme ‘Woman’s Hour,’ she said- "I think women come into their 40s—certainly mid-40s—and think, Oh, this is the beginning of the decline…things start to change and fade... But I’ve decided, no. We become more woman, more powerful, more sexy….we grow into ourselves more. We have opportunities to speak our mind and not be afraid of what people think of us. Not care what we look like so much. "

We love Winslet's philosophy around ageing and wholeheartedly agree! Life does not need to fade - in fact as women age they can step into their power and become more honest, more open and less scared about speaking out. They can embrace ageing and focus on the positives that an increased amount of time on the planet brings. Part of this is normalising the discussion around women's health and bladder weakness too.

Sarah Silverman 

American Comedian, writer and producer Sarah Silverman used her struggles with incontinence to inspire her 2010 memoir  - 'The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee !' In this honest and authentic read she detailed her struggles with bed-wetting as a child - an issue that continued into her teens and resulted in her suffering with depression that lasted for 3 years. Stories such as Silverman’s help build the idea that different forms of incontinence and bladder weakness can impact women at any age and lifestage. It is not necessarily an issue only for older women. She also uses humour to help add levity to it which can help get more women talking about it and sharing their experiences too. 

Katy Perry 

Katy Perry is a role model to millions of women and her pop anthems have made many young girls feel positive and empowered. She has extended this 'empowering women theme,' to the issue of bladder weakness and smashing taboos in that area too. She has talked openly about struggling with incontinence in her teenage years. It is hard to imagine how difficult it feels to navigate all the hormonal changes of adolescence, whilst also navigating incontinence (she admitted that at one stage in high school she had to wear diapers). Like Sarah Silverman, and Kate Winslet, Perry is normalising the discussion around this issue and making women of every age feel reassured that this is something that can happen to anyone.

Whoopi Goldberg

We love Goldberg for her open and honest approach to life. She is not only an award-winning actress (she won to Oscar awards), with roles in - ‘The Colour Purple’ and ‘Ghost’, she has also talked openly about her bladder weakness in the past.

Talking about the late, iconic, comedian Joan Rivers she said in an interview with the 'New York Post': "Joan made me laugh harder than anyone I’ve ever known…She made you laugh deep in your guts. You always left Joan with wet underwear.”

She also partnered with incontinence brands to further publicise the issue. Goldberg has kept her tone lighthearted and well informed. This approach has further normalised the taboo and brought it out into the open.

So what do all these female celebrities have in common? 

Together they have helped create a narrative around incontinence and bladder weakness which is honest, lighthearted but above all authentic.

This has the knock on effect that more women feel empowered to share their stories too. It also helps publicise that incontinence and bladder issues can impact women at any time of life- whether you're young, just had a baby, are menopausal or post-menopausal.

If you’d love to join our supportive community of women and share your experiences of incontinence and bladder weakness (and take part in fun challenges and even meet up in in real life), check out ‘Jude and Friends’ today!