02/10/2025
A growing number of menopausal women are being prescribed weight loss injections like Wegovy, Mounjaro, Ozempic without adequate assessment of their ability to exercise — a key component of long-term weight management and a lifestyle support plan. Health experts are concerned that issues such as bladder leakage, a common but under-discussed symptom of menopause, are often overlooked during weight consultations. It does not help women just telling them to exercise without understanding the challenges many women face first.
Bladder leakage, or stress urinary incontinence, affects millions of women, post childbirth, in the perimenopause and during and after menopause. This can make activities like running, aerobics, or even walking briskly, uncomfortable or embarrassing, effectively limiting sufferers' ability to engage in regular physical activity. In fact, bladder leakage is the single most common reason women give for ceasing to exercise, and main reason for dropping out of gym membership.
With the increasing cost and limited availability of weight loss jabs, it's important to maximise the results of weight loss jabs. These medications have delivered great results for many patients, though “if a woman can’t exercise because of bladder leakage, she’s missing a critical part of the weight management equation,” says Andrew Tasker, Clinical Lead at Viveca Biomed.
Without addressing the root causes of weight gain and movement limitations, women may find themselves reliant on medication long-term, while still struggling with symptoms that impact their quality of life.
“We urge healthcare providers to adopt a more holistic approach to weight loss care — one that includes pelvic health assessments, physiotherapy referrals, and open conversations about the impact of bladder leakage on exercise. This can save both the NHS and the patient money, and naturally help with weight loss.”
One clinically proven simple solution is Contrelle Activgard, a soft foam bladder support. Once inserted into the va**na, the device supports and stabilises the bladder neck and urethra, whilst also gently improving the angle of the bladder neck. Seven clinical studies support the efficacy of Contrelle Activgard with data showing it gets women back into exercise. With Contrelle Activgard in place, most women can exercise without experiencing any bladder leakage. This would offer women a more sustainable, long-term solution to weight gain, and should be the first line approach which is cost-effective for the patient and the NHS when prescribed.
