Millions of women experience overactive bladder or urge urinary incontinence, but far too many assume it's simply part of getting older or something they have to live with. The truth is, effective treatments exist, and help may be easier to find than you think. In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we welcome urogynecologist Dr. Susan Oakley to follow up on her recent NAFC webinar and answer listeners' most pressing questions. It's an honest, practical conversation about overactive bladder, ...

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we're joined by Dr. Barbara Frank of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with Alex Fennell, co-founder of Attn: Grace, an innovative manufacturer of incontinence products. Together, we explore the realities of bladder leaks and pelvic floor health during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause, and we discuss why more women are finally beginning to talk more openly about their experiences. The conversation c...

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we sit down with Dr. Mia Duncan, a dual board-certified urologist and urogynecologist, to explore the connection between bladder health and longevity. Dr. Duncan explains why incontinence is often just the “tip of the iceberg,” and how early bladder symptoms can signal broader health issues. From root-cause diagnosis and bladder diaries to sleep disruption, UTIs, and prevention strategies, this conversation offers practical insights to help listene...

In this deeply honest episode of Life Without Leaks, we talks with Judy, a retired school secretary whose bowel incontinence began after surviving stage three endometrial cancer. Following chemotherapy, radiation and extensive lymph node removal, Judy gradually developed worsening bowel control issues that now affect nearly every aspect of her life. From constant urgency and frequent accidents to recurring bowel obstructions and emergency hospital visits, she shares the physical and emotional...

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we speak with Dr. Ryan O’Leary, advanced fellow in inflammatory bowel disease, about one of the most disruptive - and misunderstood - GI symptoms: bowel urgency. Dr. O’Leary breaks down the difference between IBD and IBS, explaining how Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis differ from non-inflammatory bowel conditions, and why some patients can actually have both. He dives into what bowel urgency really is, what’s happening physiologically in the body ...

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we speak with Andy, a 40-year-old truck driver from Utah, about his 12-year struggle with urgency and bowel incontinence and the turning point that finally led him to seek help. After years of attempting to mask his symptoms with daily, over-the-counter medication and suffering in quiet isolation, a public accident pushed Andy to have the difficult conversation he had avoided for over a decade. What followed was a diagnosis of celiac disease - an autoimm...

What happens when you’re constantly scanning for the nearest bathroom? When social plans, work schedules and even sleep revolve around the fear of not making it in time? In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we welcome Dr. Ehsan Navabi, the director of the IBD Center and the GI Motility Disorders Lab at United Medical Doctors in California, to take a closer look at one of the most disruptive digestive symptoms patients face: bowel urgency. Dr. Navabi explains how persistent urgency is ...

In this insightful episode of Life Without Leaks, we sit down with veteran nurse and caregiver Ruth Naismith to explore the often-overlooked emotional side of incontinence. Drawing from over 35 years of clinical experience - and a deeply personal caregiving journey - Ruth shares candid insights into the stress, stigma and life-changing impact incontinence can have on both patients and those who care for them. From navigating sudden health changes to managing the daily emotional toll of caregi...

In this powerful episode of Life Without Leaks, we're joined by Brad, a 44-year-old former Marine and outdoor enthusiast, who opens up about his long and deeply personal journey with bowel and urinary incontinence. What began as rare, unexplained accidents slowly became more frequent and harder to ignore. Brad reveals the turning point that finally pushed him to say something to his doctor after years of silence. From frustrating diagnoses to discovering pelvic floor physical therapy, counsel...

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we're joined by Dr. Maria Roell, internal medicine resident at the Medical University of South Carolina, about bowel urgency and the conditions that commonly cause it. Dr. Roell breaks down the often-confusing differences between IBS and IBD, explains what true medical bowel urgency feels like and outlines when symptoms may signal something more serious. She walks listeners through the diagnostic process - from detailed history and lab work to colonoscop...