New Survey Examines How and to What Extent Americans Talk About Going to the Bathroom

Baltimore, MD, November 23, 2015 /3BL Media/ — During Bladder Health Month, The American Urological Association (AUA) and Urology Care Foundation, in collaboration with Astellas, unveiled results from a survey of 1,000 American adults who said they are not comfortable talking about urination even though we do it on average six times a day. The survey explored the code words, such as taking a leak or going potty, many Americans use for going to the bathroom and their comfort levels in discussing the issue with their healthcare provider, family or friends. 

Key survey findings include:

• While on average most of us do it six times a day, a recent survey of 1,000 American adults found that many of us are not comfortable talking about urination.
   
• To deal with the embarrassment, the survey shows Americans use code words to discuss urination, most commonly using phrases like “using the bathroom” (62%), “peeing” (55%), “taking a leak” (19%), or “going potty” (17%). 
   
• Even if experiencing signs of an overactive bladder (OAB), which can include sudden, unexpected urge to urinate that cannot be controlled and waking up at night to urinate, the survey showed that many Americans would not talk to anyone about these symptoms.

Lisa Hawes, MD, Urology Care Foundation spokesperson and nationally recognized expert on bladder health issues, is sharing solutions for those who suffer from bladder health issues, such as OAB.

“A bigger issue is that while most Americans are talking code when it comes to bathroom habits, they are not talking to their healthcare provider about their symptoms because they are too embarrassed. Several bladder conditions, such as OAB, can be treated through simple lifestyle changes, simple behavior modifications, oral medical treatments, diet and exercise.”

Many people, especially women, are often too embarrassed to talk about their bladder health symptoms and think the occasional leakage that occurs from coughing or sneezing or that strong urge to urinate is a normal result of having children or getting older. Many wait on average, nearly two years before mentioning anything to their health care provider.

About the Survey

The survey of 1,000 adult Americans explores psychological, cultural and behavioral pressures surrounding openly discussing urinary habits. The survey also focuses on the language used to describe urinary habits, including regional/ linguistic differences, the excuses people use for going to the bathroom and if they feel comfortable discussing urinary issues with their family and friends or healthcare providers, or if they keep to themselves. The survey was funded and developed with collaboration by Astellas Pharma US, Inc.

For bladder health resources and more information visit: It’s Time To Talk About OAB (http://www.urologymanagement.org/OAB/) and use the hashtag #NovBHealth to support Bladder Health Month.

About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 22,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.

About the Urology Care Foundation: The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. We partner with physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, families and the public to support and improve the prevention, detection and treatment of urological diseases through research and education. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.UrologyHealth.org.

About Astellas: Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasUS. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AstellasUS.

Contact:

Christine Frey, AUA & Urology Care Foundation
443-909-0839
cfrey@AUAnet.org

Jenny M. Kite, Astellas
847-682-4530 
Jenny.Kite@astellas.com