Help & Information Category

Help & Information

If you’re affected by a bladder or bowel condition or would like to find out more about what we offer, we’re here to make sure you get the help and information you need.

The Bladder & Bowel Community provide over 60 downloadable resources, such as frequency charts, the Bristol Stool Chart, bladder and bowel diaries, and pelvic floor exercises, to name but a few.

You’ll also find a section on how best to support yourself on topics such as travel, sexual relationships, and emotions, and accessing a Just Can’t Wait Card to help you when you’re out and about. There is also a document specifically for those supporting their loved ones, along with a number of stories from patients and carers who have been in similar situations to your own and found the Bladder and Bowel Community a valuable resource.

If you’d like to find out more on the Bladder and Bowel Community, you can do so by browsing the About Us section. Here, you can get to know the team and how we plan on consistently improving our services.

We aim to enable people to live their lives as they wish. With these resources, we hope you or your loved one can take another step in their journey to a higher quality of life.

History of The Bladder & Bowel Community

On January 11th, 1989, a small gathering of like-minded individuals met at St Pancras Hospital, London. This group comprised of eight healthcare professionals, six people with continence problems, two informal carers and one representative…

Incontinence and Discrimination

On 1 October 2010, the Equality Act replaced most of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). However, the Disability Equality Duty in the DDA continues to apply. According to the House of Commons Library, there are 14.6 million people in…

Bristol stool form scale

Different people have different bowel habits. Most people who have a bowel movement more than 3 times a week and pass good textured faeces (not too hard or soft) can be said to have 'normal' bowel behaviour. Since it can be hard to state…

Fibre supplements for Constipation

There are a number of alternative and complementary solutions to manage constipation.  A wide range of these options can be purchased online via retail outlets but may not generally be used by most doctors. They should be used alongside the…

NICE

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health. NICE produces…

Incontinence and emotions

Understanding why incontinence affects you emotionally can help you learn to feel better about yourself, to tackle your bladder or bowel problem more positively, and to relate to those close to you more easily. Are you the only person with…

Carers support

Caring for a relative or friend who has a bladder or bowel problem may not be easy. It is likely to have a big emotional and physical impact for the person you care for and can also have an emotional impact on you. If you are caring for a…

Catheters & Accessories

A catheter is a thin tube which is used to drain urine from the bladder. Catheters are used as a management aid by people who cannot empty their bladder properly. There are three main types of catheters: Intermittent catheters…

Practical advice

When you have been diagnosed with a bladder or bowel problem there will be many questions running through your mind. You may remember to ask your health professional the most obvious ones but in case you’re left searching and more…

Sexual relationships

Loving, caring relationships are important for everyone – and many want these to develop into sexual relationships. For everyone, these relationships are a source of happiness and sadness, joy and disappointment, anxiety and pleasure,…