160: Her Health and Happiness with Jenni Russell - Episode 160160: Her Health and Happiness with Jenni Russell - Episode 160
UK Health Radio Podcast
Jenni Russell talks with continence experts Tara Jarrett and Louise Heelan about the taboo around bladder and bowel health, its impact on daily life, and the importance of proper support and education. The conversation links posture, pelvic floor function and life stages such as pregnancy and menopause to incontinence and highlights practical ways people can seek help.
49:39•5 Oct 2026
Breaking the Bladder Taboo: Jenni Russell Talks Candid Continence Care
Episode Overview
- Bladder and bowel issues are common but still heavily stigmatised, leading many people to suffer in silence instead of seeking help.
- Speaking to a GP or continence service can reveal simple solutions, from product choice to lifestyle or dietary changes.
- Correct fitting and understanding of continence products are essential to prevent leakage and reduce shame and isolation.
- Pelvic health involves posture, breathing, abdominal pressure and organ support, not just squeezing pelvic floor muscles.
- Early education for children, teachers and healthcare professionals about healthy toilet habits and pelvic health can prevent long-term problems.
“Bladder and bowel health is still one of the last great health taboos.”
Curious about how others manage hidden health issues that affect everyday life? This episode of UK Health Radio’s **Her Health and Happiness** with Jenni Russell shines a bright light on bladder and bowel health, a topic many people still whisper about, or avoid completely. You’ll hear Jenni chatting with continence experts **Tara Jarrett** and **Louise Heelan**, who work closely with patients and healthcare professionals in the NHS.
They share results from an Ontex survey of over 2,000 adults, revealing that people are far more likely to talk about weight, mental health or money than admit to leaking or urgency.
As Tara puts it, “bladder and bowel health is still one of the last great health taboos.” The conversation digs into why incontinence carries so much shame, how embarrassment leads to social isolation, and why many people quietly improvise with tissues in their knickers rather than seek proper help. Louise explains that incontinence can sometimes be temporary and that the right assessment and product guidance can dramatically improve confidence and quality of life.
Jenni adds her long-standing pelvic health expertise, breaking down how posture, pregnancy, hormones, pelvic floor muscles and even school toilet rules can influence lifelong bladder and bowel habits. She stresses that continence is “so much more than kegels”, highlighting the role of pelvic organ positioning, diaphragm movement, abdominal pressure and menopause-related changes. Throughout, there’s a strong message: leaking is common, but it’s not something you just have to silently endure.
There is specialist support, better-fitting products, and practical education out there – especially when professionals and carers work together. If you’ve ever planned your evening around proximity to the loo, or quietly worried about “drip, drip, drizzle”, this conversation might be the nudge to ask for help and rethink what you consider “normal.” So, what small step could you take today to give your pelvic health the attention it deserves?
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