Out of 2.7 million women with urinary incontinence accounting for the 25 percent of women in Türkiye, only 12 percent consult a physician for treatment. Prof. Dr. Oktay Demirkesen, Chairperson of the Turkish Continence Society, informs that this condition is actually more common than many chronic diseases and they, as the society, endeavor to provide treatment and create awareness of this condition.
“WOMEN TEND TO THINK ‘THERE IS NO CURE FOR THIS, WE HAVE TO ENDURE IT’”
Reporting that one out of every four women over the age of 40 years in Türkiye experiences urinary incontinence, Prof. Dr. Oktay Demirkesen, Chairperson of the Turkish Continence Society, adds that the key here is the lower rates of physician consultations for the treatment of this disorder compared to the globally reported figures. “A lot can be suggested to explain the reasons underlying these low figures, but the number one factor appears to be the embarrassment of incontinence. Patients do not wish their family members to know about their condition. Eventually, they end up saying ‘There is no cure for this, we have to endure it, we have to live with it’. Unfortunately, this notion is pretty common and needs further attention. Before explaining treatment options, first of all, one needs to identify the cause of urinary incontinence. This is the key problem in this issue. Identification of the cause of urinary incontinence will pave the way to several treatment options to choose from.”
Source: Sözcü