“Confidence comes from both within and without. Whatever it is that makes you feel beautiful, do that… and watch your confidence soar! – CatherineGraceO

When the Procter & Gamble brand Always Discreet asked me to be a part of their new Always Discreet Boutique Campaign, I was in the midst of organizing 200 influencers in an unprecedented campaign called Bridging the Gap launching around the exact same time. It didn’t take me but a moment to say “YES” even if I had to squeeze it in and not sleep for a week. The idea of helping women to feel beautiful and confident despite dealing with bladder leaks was far too important. And it was also an opportunity to work with a company I deeply admire. A company whose products I have used throughout my life – trust me, this was an added bonus.

My intention is to be authentic first and foremost. I shared with the Always Discreet Boutique team that I’ve actually never worn a product to help with bladder leaks just yet, but I have personally experienced the issue after childbirth. I had my children when I was 30 and 32, and I had some major complications with each of my deliveries. Even without complications, the reality is that childbirth is a miraculous, beautiful experience yet it also affects a woman’s physiology. It can have an impact on everything from your hormones to your pelvic floor muscles, which can, in turn, affect the control of your bladder.

I remember going back the gym following the birth of my daughter. I quickly realized that an exercise as simple as jumping jacks or jumping rope was something I could no longer do. Even sneezing or laughter could cause my bladder to leak. There wasn’t much I could do so I had to alter my activities. I had experienced an “episiotomy” and complications after childbirth that required additional surgeries and it indeed had an impact on my pelvic floor muscles. It’s a reality for many women following childbirth. Back then a beautifully designed product like Always Discreet Boutique was not available, but I wish it had been! Quite honestly, there’s such a misconception that incontinence is only experienced by the elderly. But check out what’s actually true:

  • 1 in 3 women experience bladder leaks1
  • 2 in 3 women who have tried bladder leak underwear avoid wearing them even when they know they need them1
  • 88% of women say they would wear bladder leak underwear if it looked and felt like regular underwear1

It wasn’t long before I hopped on a flight to NYC to meet the Always Discreet Boutique team at a lovely event in Manhattan. On the way to the airport in LA, my daughter who is in her 20’s happened to call, and asked why I was headed to New York. Without hesitation, I told her I was going to meet with Always Discreet Boutique to do a post on their latest product for bladder leaks. Her mortification was apparent. I get it! She’s a young woman and an actress in Hollywood. “Bladder underwear” aren’t the norm and certainly aren’t pretty and feminine – well, they haven’t been up until now. There’s a certain stigma as they are usually associated with the elderly which truly isn’t the reality. As my daughter knows, I’m known for vulnerability and authenticity. I’ll open my heart about everything to my followers. So, bladder leak underwear, this is nothing out of the ordinary! And, more importantly, it’s been a personal mission of mine to give women permission to open up about anything and everything.

As a counterpoint, I also had a call from a dear friend in Colorado. She’s in her late 40’s and when I told her what I was doing, she yelled “It’s about time!…I’m so grateful you’re doing this as my friends and I get up to attend morning Kaia workouts where we have to do things like burpees and jumping jacks. We all have to wear bladder leak protection or we can’t do the exercises.” Light bulb moment! And, with that, I was off to the Big Apple!

Walking into the beautifully lit space with an open view of the city was like a dream. The Always Discreet Boutique team went out of their way to create a feeling of incredible beauty in the event space, and I was eager to learn about the product. The bladder leak underwear are called Always Discreet Boutique – and they are maximum bladder leak protection, made beautiful.

The P&G team members sat with us and described the extensive research that went into the design process. It was clear how much they valued their customer and were personally invested in making sure they designed a product that incorporated client feedback. The panties are in a rosé hue with a delicate design. They feel quite beautiful when you put them on. It’s a huge advance in a product that used to be more along the lines of an adult diaper. This didn’t feel or look like that at all! I sat with some of the team members and was amazed at their personal connection to the customer. I was quite impressed and couldn’t wait to have my own experience when I returned to LA.

 

When I got back to LA I had an idea immediately come to mind. I was going to put my new panties to the test. They were so beautiful and I bet no one would be able to tell I was wearing them.

Always Discreet Boutique offers incredible-performing protection with a hidden super-absorbent core with unique RapidDry™ technology that absorbs leaks in seconds. The underwear are super thin, so you don’t think they should be able to hold fluid, but they really can.

Returning back to LA, I pulled out my skinny black leather pants and shimmied into them. My photog and I hit the road to the cliffs of Palos Verdes. We decided to take a shot both with them on and without them on, as we had a feeling that no one could actually tell the difference!

So…does she or doesn’t she? I’ll leave it up to you to decide. In one shot, I’m wearing my Always Discreet Boutique and in the other, I’m wearing regular panties. I couldn’t tell the difference and felt equally in confident in both. To me, I give kudos to Always Discreet Boutique and their fabulous team. The personal care and attention to this program absolutely blew me away. They are bravely addressing an issue for women of all ages by creating a product that is “Always Discreet and Always Confident.” I’m blessed to have had this experience and hope to return to do more work with this amazing company.

I have partnered with Always Discreet Boutique for this sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

1The Always Discreet Boutique Online Study was conducted by MSLGROUP Research.

 

27 comments

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I totally bought these f or after the birth of my second child and can’t say enough good things! Great for post-partum and the occasional “accident”. I only missed having to give them up – so comfy & secure! Though I do treat myself every once in a while when hubby isn’t home – great for late nights or sleeping in 😉

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That is wonderful to hear, Eileen. Thank you for sharing. I’m grateful companies like Always are there to help us feel as beautiful as we can during those times when we need a little help with bladder protection.

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Now always discreet boutique is my daily use underwear, as a male I wear them despite their feminine design like the printed flowers and bow.
For to be honest I feel more comfortable and also I don’t have to worry about a leak when going outside.
I already put all my boxers and all my normal underwear in the garbage and I stocked my drawer with always discreet boutique.

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Now that is amazing news. I thank you for such beautiful honesty!

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As a male I’ve been suffering bladder leaks and then almost I quit of inline skating and long walking.
After trying different types of men liners for leaks they didn’t absorb enough.
Almost I gave up on staying active and I would spend the afternoon at home because I was afraid of having an accident.
If I would like to stay active and going outside for inline skating, then I decided to wear always discreet underwear.
It was hard for me wearing women’s protective underwear, it was a big change to accept a product for women as my daily use underwear. I replaced all my favorite boxers and my sports performance underwear by always discreet boutique.
They look more like women’s panties than ugly diapers, they’re very absorbent and I feel them as my normal underwear.

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How absolutely amazing are you for sharing this story! Wow, bravo to you. I know the feeling of giving up my favorite exercises after I had my children as there was nothing like this available. I’ll share your story with the team at Always and I thank you for your courage. I wish you health and happiness. Catherine

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Some great information in here Catherine. Thanks for sharing. The only other thing I would add is that so many women think incontinence is normal. While common, it is not normal. If women are experiencing incontinence they should be seeing their doctor, a Pelvic Floor Physio and/or a trainer who specializes in this. There are strategies women can use so that leaking doesn’t happen and if working with a qualified team, eventually may not need this product.

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I totally agree. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a wonderful way to keep those pelvic floor muscles in shape as well as basic Kegels. Thank you for reading!

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Catherine, Thsnk you for sharing this with me. As someone that suffers from incontinence this is a real issue for me. This type of product is music to my ears!!! Your insightful article and honesty is so refreshing as always!!!! Thank you!!! Ali K.

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I’m so glad it resonates and thank you for sharing. As you also run a community of women at midlife, it’s so important for us to be real with issues like this that affect women every single day!

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Such a great post, Catherine! I love your honesty and authenticity about using the product too. Really great knowing that women have these as an option! Not to mention, they’re super pretty. You look amazing in this entire post!!! XO

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Thanks so much for reading beautiful! It can happen so much earlier than most think.

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So happy to see this kind of post. It’s funny, we can talk about having periods and using tampons and pads, but for some reason this topic has been hidden too long. I had a hysterectomy when I was only 45. I was told the odds of me developing bladder issues and bladder leak were greater (after the surgery, of course!). I take care of my body and do exercises to help prevent this, and so far I’ve kept it at bay. I’m 58 now.

What a fantastic product that looks lovely and is clearly discrete. You look amazing in your skinny leather pants and I certainly can NOT tell the difference. Bravo. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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Thank you for taking the time to read the post. It’s so important as women to support one another. We must stop making ourselves and others feel badly about issues like this that are just a normal part of life and not restricted to older women. I really appreciate your thoughtful comments.

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This is wonderful news! Unfortunately I have this problem from time to time, and glad to know about this product. You all on this post are fortunate who haven’t! Hope you never do. Catherine, you are such a role model and inspiration. Great, important post.

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Thanks, Mindy and you are a fabulous role model for women at midlife and beyond!

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Catherine I love this post! Hat off to P&G for being on the forefront of a product that many women are in need of. I personally have not experienced bladder leakage, but know women who have. What a groundbreaking product! What I love is that you took it to the next level and in your true Authentic Catherine way, took them for a “real woman” test drive! I can’t tell which photo you are wearing them in…brilliant! Thank you for sharing this innovation with all of us!
XO
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com

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Thanks so much and it is vital that we talk about issues that have been swept under the rug for way too long. As women, we judge ourselves and can be our worst critics. We must be kind to ourselves and to others.

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I loved this post, Catherine! Even though I don’t have bladder issues but I might someday. On the other hand, I worked with P&G in Venezuela, and I can tell how dedicated they are to develop products to improve people’s lives. The Always boutique underwear look gorgeous, and I do not doubt that many women experiencing those embarrassing bladder leaks will be able to feel confident wearing the panties. Big Thumbs Up to the Always team and to you for being part of this launch!
Xoxo

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Thanks, Chuky. It’s such a great company. It was refreshing to work with a company that empowers women. They are so dedicated to helping women to feel beautiful.

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Seriously thought provoking because it’s nice to know there’s something like this out there when we are going to need it!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

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Great post Catherine! Wish I had known about this a couple of years ago for my mother. I don’t have this problem yet but did when I was pregnant with my first child, couldn’t laugh very hard or else I have an accident. Good thing every time it happened I was home and not out in public. I see this is not an age thing but a problem us women can have during pregnancy or after. Well it’s good to know this product is out there and it’s discreet wearing it. You look amazing in those tight black leather and I can’t tell. Thank you for sharing this, I will definitely spread the word to my women friends.

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Thank you for reading and sharing. I wish they were as well. It’s wonderful to have companies like P and G that care deeply about their customer.

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Great post Catherine! To be honest, this isn’t something I’ve even thought about until now. I haven’t had any issues yet. I’m so glad to be informed beforehand so that I will know where to turn when I need this type of product. I can also share with my friends when they begin to search for bladder leakage products. You look amazing in your black, leather pants, and I certainly can’t tell the difference. Thank you for sharing.

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Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. We have to keep an open mind and begin conversations around all issues that we face as women, no matter our age.

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This is a great post! Although I don’t have issues now, I also had issues while exercising after childbirth and would have loved to have had a product like Always Discreet! Women have enough to worry about and with so many having this issue, this is one thing to mark off the worry list! I so appreciate that you were willing to share about this product and I’m sure I’m not alone! Thank you!

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Thanks for sharing and reading. I do believe there is an impression this is an older women’s issue which is so far from the truth!

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