Weak brakes: Embarrassing effects of pelvic dysfunction

When pelvic floor muscles do not work as they should you have a need to pee every now and then (Shutterstock)

When Joy realised that her urine would involuntarily leak from time to time, she felt self-conscious, isolated and stigmatised. Ashamed of how her “weak brakes were causing social isolation, she opted to resign from work and open a kiosk near her home. At least she could run home and have a change of clothes before anyone realised she was smelling.

Most of us have seen or heard of someone who at some point laughed till they passed urine. If you can comfortably cough, sneeze or laugh out, with an almost full bladder, thank your pelvic floor muscles.