The 'embarrassing' menopause sign half of women don't know about - and how to control it

Going through the menopause can be a time of high anxiety for some women. From hot flushes and mood swings to headaches, muscle aches and weight gain, a woman's life can be impacted in a variety of ways when symptoms hit.

Menopause usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier, and it will feel different for everyone. While some women may get away with little to no symptoms, others may go through severe changes that can put a strain on their relationships, social life and work.

One such symptom that can cause a huge amount of discomfort is bladder leakage, which is thought to affect around half of menopausal women. According to a poll of more than 1,000 women, half of women are unaware this can be a common sign of menopause.

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Of those who do experience bladder leaks during menopause, the poll, conducted by feminine hygiene brand Always, found more than 50 per cent are not sure they would want to discuss it with anyone, with nearly 20 per cent citing embarrassment as the reason.

According to Always, bladder leaks during menopause are typically down to one of two different types of incontinence: stress incontinence or urge incontinence.

Stress incontinence is the result of a weakening of the pelvic floor - the system of muscles, ligaments, and tissue that support your bladder and uterus - which can happen as a result of things like pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes, or gaining weight. In this case, activities such as laughing, sneezing, coughing, or exercising can put pressure on the bladder, resulting in leaks.

Urge