Incontinence lingerie hits the catwalk

Posted: 30/09/2015

In April  2015, the Daily Mail reported on the world’s first company, ConfiTEX, to release a range of stylish incontinence underwear. This lingerie even made it onto the catwalk during the recent New Zealand Fashion Week. 

Incontinence is not often a topic openly discussed and yet millions of people in the UK suffer from it. The introduction of this new lingerie may help towards removing the taboo around the issue and increase the understanding of the condition. 

Until now, incontinence has been associated with unattractive underwear and other preventative products that have been far from sexy or desirable but the clinical negligence team at Penningtons Manches is happy for its clients that times are changing! 

The ConfiTEX brand initially started as a solution for sportspeople such as marathon runners and other long distance athletes who did not have time to go to the lavatory while competing. However, Frantisek Riha-Scott, director and fashion designer of the brand said that he was inspired to design the product after realising the vast gap in the market for fashionable, incontinence underwear. 

The lingerie range includes 30 stylish items ranging from day time wear to softer evening lingerie. The lingerie features performance fabric that soaks up leakage, thus saving money on pads and other incontinence products.  

This new line of lingerie gives people a sense of freedom and allows them to have the same shopping experience that anyone else would have when shopping for lingerie or underwear. It can also help to restore confidence. 

What is incontinence?

Incontinence can occur when the pelvic floor, a group of muscles that help to keep your bladder and other organs in place, becomes weak. These muscles are just like any other muscle in the body and, if they are not exercised, they can lose tone and strength. 

There are three different types of incontinence: 

• Stress incontinence - when the pelvic floor muscles are weakened so pressure on the bladder results in a leak. The pressure can come from coughing, laughing or sneezing.
• Urgent incontinence - the sudden uncontrollable urge to go to the lavatory.
• Mixed incontinence - a combination of both of the above. 

Urinary incontinence can affect both men and women but the most common causes include pregnancy, childbirth, being overweight and age. 

Penningtons Manches LLP is currently acting for a number of women who were treated by consultant gynaecologist, Miss Jayne Cockburn. In a number of these cases, there has been evidence of a quick recourse to surgical intervention without consideration for conservative treatment and alternative procedures for incontinence.  

Emma Beeson, a solicitor handling some of the Jayne Cockburn cases, commented: “The announcement of this new line of lingerie will make a huge difference to a number of my clients who, after failed or negligent urogynaecological treatment, have been left with severe incontinence. This underwear will allow them to help rebuild their confidence and remove the stigma associated with the condition.”

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