PB With A Bit Of Wee: Why Incontinence Shouldn’t Be a Secret
On a gym wall in South London, a simple but powerful phrase is scrawled:
“PB with a bit of wee.”
For many women in weightlifting, powerlifting, and even high-impact sports, bladder leaks aren’t a big deal—they’re just part of pushing limits. In fact, as highlighted in a recent Guardian article, many female lifters experience a flood of pee mid-lift and don’t let it stop them.
Emily Westray, a competitive powerlifter, openly talks about the time she peed mid-deadlift—on camera, no less—while a male spotter stood nearby in socks. Did she feel ashamed? Not at all. She just shrugged it off and kept lifting.
So why do so many other women feel the need to hide incontinence?
If They’re Not Ashamed, Why Should You Be?
It’s not just weightlifters who experience leaks—1 in 3 women will leak urine at some point in their lives. And despite what many people assume, it doesn’t just affect new mums or older women as a result of childbirth or menopause.
Research shows that elite female athletes are THREE TIMES more likely to leak than women who don’t exercise much at all.
The reason? Pelvic muscle pressure. Activities like lifting, jumping, and running increase intra-abdominal pressure, and if the pelvic floor isn’t strong enough to handle it, leaks happen. The same thing can occur during everyday movements like sneezing, laughing, or even standing up too quickly.
But here’s the important part: just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. And it’s definitely not something to be ashamed of.
Time to Drop the Stigma
Think about how we talk about fitness. We encourage women to strengthen their core, legs, and arms—but when it comes to the pelvic floor, we act like it’s embarrassing to even mention it.
It’s time to change that. Urinary incontinence isn’t a sign of weakness or failure—it’s just a muscle that needs strengthening, just like any other.
You Can Improve Incontinence
Did you know that in France, pelvic floor rehab therapy via nerve stimulation and kegel exercises is part of the pregnancy & childbirth healthcare programme, offered as standard to all new mums?
This is because you can prevent urinary incontinence and improve bladder control over time. Just like weightlifters train their muscles to lift heavier, you can train your pelvic floor to be stronger and more resilient. Here’s how:
💪 Use Kegel Weights
Just like lifting dumbbells builds strength, adding resistance makes pelvic floor exercises way more effective than doing them alone. Our Secret Whispers Kegel Weight Kit is a simple but powerful tool to help you get started and the best thing is, you can use them while you're doing other things such as getting showered and dressed!
💨 Breathe the Right Way
Many lifters brace their core by holding their breath which increases pressure on the bladder. Learning to breathe correctly can reduce leaks.
📈 Gradually Build Strength
If you experience leaks when lifting or doing high-impact activities, it might mean you’ve hit your pelvic floor’s load tolerance. Reducing weight slightly and building back up can help.
🩺 Seek Expert Advice
Pelvic floor physiotherapists can offer personalised guidance, especially if incontinence is affecting your daily life.
Dignity Over Disposables
While you're working on improving your pelvic floor, you don’t need to rely on bulky, nappy-like disposable pads. There are better solutions which aren't only more comfortable, but more feminine too.
At Secret Whispers, we stock the Cheeky range of washable incontinence pads and pants, designed to keep you comfortable, discreet, and confident. They’re not just better for you, but also for the planet—helping reduce waste while giving you a more pleasant way to manage leaks.
Let’s Stop Whispering and Start Acting
The women in the Guardian article—powerlifters, runners, and athletes—aren’t ashamed of their incontinence. They own it, move on, and don't let it define them. And that’s the mindset every woman should have.
So let’s stop treating incontinence like a dirty little secret. It’s common, it’s fixable, and it doesn’t define you.
👉 Want to take control of your pelvic floor? Check out Secret Whispers for practical, proven solutions and join our Facebook group of women making a difference for their health and the environment.
For more tips, check out these related blog posts:
➡️ Fancy a FREEBIE? Download our FREE guide The easy way to get a stronger pelvic floor
About the Author: Secret Whispers was founded by Julie Colan, a passionate mum and health advocate who saw the need for effective pelvic floor solutions. Now, Helen Rankin, the founder of Cheeky Wipes and Cheeky Pants—known for her award-winning work in sustainable product development—has taken the helm at Secret Whispers. Helen is committed to advancing the company’s mission, believing that women shouldn’t have to accept incontinence as a given. With the innovative Secret Whispers Kegel weights, she aims to offer every woman an effective, reusable solution for pelvic floor health. Try them and take control of your wellness journey today!
