NORTHBROOK, Ill., Nov. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Behind the bushes? In the men's room because the line for the women's restroom was too long? For women with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), these scenarios may not be imaginary. Dealing with OAB symptoms of urgency, frequency and leakage¹ can be difficult; talking about them even more so.² Approximately 46 million U.S. adults 40 years and older experience OAB symptoms at least sometimes³, yet only about 1 in 8 women actually seek treatment.⁴ Through its "Stop Stalling" campaign, Astellas encourages women to put aside their embarrassment and speak to their doctors about their bladder health.

The second annual Peehavior survey, conducted by Astellas and Ipsos Public Affairs, asked 2,854 women across the United States about their bathroom experiences. Broaching the subject of urination can be awkward, but the women were surprisingly open about the places they'll "go."  The survey revealed that⁵:

• Eighty-six percent of respondents have peed somewhere other than a bathroom
• About 20 percent have peed behind the bushes
• Nearly half have used the men's bathroom when the women's bathroom line was too long (49 percent).

"November is Bladder Health Month, so what better time to stop stalling and start a conversation about OAB symptoms than now?" said Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH, a practicing urologist. "In my practice, I find women who think peeing frequently and urgently is just a natural part of aging, when in reality it may be signs of a condition that could be managed with a doctor's help."

Astellas created Stop Stalling^® to educate, empower and motivate women to recognize OAB symptoms and take action by talking to their doctors. Since conversations about bladder health can be uncomfortable, the program incorporates subtle humor to break down barriers and get women talking.

The most recent addition to the Stop Stalling campaign is the "Stall Stories" video series, in which comedian Ellen Karis conducts light-hearted, yet informative, talk-show type interviews with experts in bladder and women's health. Representing various areas of expertise, the "guests" answer questions about OAB and seek to empower women to address their bladder health without feeling ashamed. They also discuss the importance of consulting a healthcare professional and provide tips on how to start what may feel like a difficult conversation.

For more information on OAB, visit StopStalling.com.

About Astellas
Astellas Pharma US, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasUS, Facebook at www.facebook.com/AstellasUS or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/astellas-pharma.

References:

1. Gormley EA, Lightner DJ, Burgio KL, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (non-neurogenic) in adults: AUA/SUFU guideline. American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. 2014.
2. Filipetto FA., Fulda KG, Holthusen AE, McKeithen TM, McFadden P. The patient perspective on overactive bladder: a mixed-methods needs assessment. BMC Family Practice 2014;15:96-101.
3. Coyne KS, Sexton CC, Vats V, Thompson C, Kopp ZS, Milsom I. National community prevalence of overactive bladder in the United States stratified by sex and age. Urology 2011;77(5):1081-7.
4. Milsom I, Kaplan SA, Coyne KS, Sexton CC, Kopp ZS. Effect of bothersome overactive bladder symptoms on health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, and treatment seeking in the United States: results from EpiLUTS. Urology 2012;80(1):90-6.
5. Astellas and Ipsos Public Affairs. Data on File.

SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc.