Survey of 20,000 people (men and women) about concerns about problems with underwear stains
A large-scale survey of 20,000 adults (men and women) was conducted about problems with underwear stains, which are difficult to talk to other people about and are considerably difficult to bring up as a topic.
<Survey summary> Survey participants: Women and men ages 20-79. No. of respondents: 20,000. Survey timing: June 2017. Survey method: Internet survey. Research by Unicharm.
In the past 6 months, what caused you to be concerned about underwear stains?
Urine leaks: 43.1%
Stool leaks: 28.3%
(N=19,821) *Research by Unicharm
We asked a specialist about stool leaks.
Kaoru Nishimura
Chairman of the Japan Continence Action Society (NPO)
Member of the Guideline Evaluation Committee, Japan Society of Coloproctology
Stool leaks can happen to anyone
A wide range of patients visit hospitals, and there are various things that cause stool leaks.
One thing that can be said about stool leaks is that the symptoms and seriousness vary by person. Cases where there are sometimes leaks when a person feels sick aren’t particularly serious. But the state in which “stools leak against a person’s own will” is defined as fecal incontinence.
It can cause skin problems and cause people to feel uneasy
Stool leaks cause people to feel that they “don’t want anyone to know” or that they’re “embarrassed,” and tend to have an adverse effect on people's lives. People also feel very uneasy about odors from stool leaks, which can cause them to restrict their behavior that can lead to avoiding going out to work or traveling, or avoiding relationships with people.
If there are stool leaks and they are left as-is, they can cause skin problems.
The digestive enzymes in stools can cause the skin to become rough, so there are also concerns about bladder inflammation and pyelonephritis due to urinary tract infections.
These kinds of things cause stool leaks
Women: After giving birth or during menopause
Men: After surgery for hemorrhoids, diarrhea after drinking alcohol, irritable bowel syndrome
Overweight people: In terms of their body structure, after they go to the bathroom, stools that are left in the body may come out little by little
As a symptom of a neurological disease
Elderly people: If they are constipated and take a laxative, there may be leaks due to diarrhea
If the balance of the intestinal bacteria deteriorates, there may be leaks due to stools becoming unstable
Exclusive products that you can rely on for stool leaks you don’t notice
This is when you should use an exclusive product made for stool leaks
If you feel uneasy about going out because you’re worried about having stool leaks at that time
To be prepared as a contingency for unexpected daily activities, such as needing to carry heavy items
At drinking parties, dinners, and times when you consume a lot of liquids
When you’re in meetings or entertaining customers for a long time at work and you really can’t go to the bathroom
When walking or exercising or doing activities where a lot of force is suddenly put on your stomach
On bus trips or when you’re driving to a place that is far away
When you are working outside the office or will be out for a long time
