Pmsl Or How I Literally Pissed Myself Laughing And Survived The Last Taboo To Tell The Tale

'Warm, generous and genuinely useful' Lynn Enright, author of Vagina: A re-education 'No better person to finally illuminate this last taboo than Luce Brett' Milli Hill, author of The Positive Birth Book 'A breath of fresh air' Anna Williamson, presenter, broadcaster and bestselling author of Breaking Mad 'If you have a bladder you should read this. If you work with people with bladders you should definitely read this' Elaine Miller, Pelvic health physiotherapist and stand-up comedian 'A feminist roar of a health memoir ... a stigma-busting, generous, funny, moving book about an important subject' David Nicholls, author of One Day When Luce Brett became incontinent at the age of 30, after the birth of her first son, she felt her life had ended. She also felt scared, upset, embarrassed, dirty and shocked. How the hell had she ended up there, the youngest woman in the waiting room at the incontinence clinic? PMSL is her story. A heartfelt, moving and deeply personal account of the decade that followed, told with incredible honesty and wit. Luce has been at the sharp end of a medical issue that affects 1 in 3 women but that remains shrouded in taboo and social stigma. It's sincere, raw and funny - but crucially it is the first memoir to look at incontinence, smashing the stigma and looking at what anyone affected can do to navigate their way through the wet-knickered wilderness.

More than one-third of women are living with urinary incontinence. It's time to talk about it. PMSL is one woman's story, providing a razor sharp perspective from the sharp end of a medical issue that affects 1 in 3 women but that remains shrouded in taboo and social stigma, an untold story of a common condition. It's heartfelt, raw and funny--but crucially it is the first memoir to look at incontinence, lifting the lid on what anyone affected can do to navigate their way through the wet-knickered wilderness and what we can learn about ourselves, individually, and as a society cowed by our shamed bodies and desperate for information and control. When Luce Brett became incontinent at the age of 30 after the birth of her first son, she felt her life had ended. She also felt scared, upset, embarrassed, itchy, bewildered, dirty, shocked, broken, desolate, angry and ashamed. How the hell had she ended up there, the youngest woman in the waiting room at the incontinence clinic? Charting Luce's journey to (relative) health and sanity PMSL also offers practical advice about how and where women can find help and support, with a final chapter directing readers to useful links and organisations. It's not good enough for women to be told that post-birth they should expect their lives to be diminished along with their pelvic floor function, but to date no one has been brave enough to come forward and break the silence in such an acutely personal and public way.

'Warm, generous and genuinely useful' Lynn Enright, author of Vagina: A re-education 'No better person to finally illuminate this last taboo than Luce Brett' Milli Hill, author of The Positive Birth Book 'A breath of fresh air' Anna Williamson, presenter, broadcaster and bestselling author of Breaking Mad 'If you have a bladder you should read this. If you work with people with bladders you should definitely read this' Elaine Miller, Pelvic health physiotherapist and stand-up comedian 'A feminist roar of a health memoir ... a stigma-busting, generous, funny, moving book about an important subject' David Nicholls, author of One Day When Luce Brett became incontinent at the age of 30, after the birth of her first son, she felt her life had ended. She also felt scared, upset, embarrassed, dirty and shocked. How the hell had she ended up there, the youngest woman in the waiting room at the incontinence clinic? PMSL is her story. A heartfelt, moving and deeply personal account of the decade that followed, told with incredible honesty and wit. Luce has been at the sharp end of a medical issue that affects 1 in 3 women but that remains shrouded in taboo and social stigma. It's sincere, raw and funny - but crucially it is the first memoir to look at incontinence, smashing the stigma and looking at what anyone affected can do to navigate their way through the wet-knickered wilderness.

The first practical, accessible self-help guide to managing symptoms of Long Covid More than 1 million people suffer from Long Covid in the UK (with 400,000 people suffering symptoms for over a year), and many more globally. Yet there is no clear guidance available to the general public, and lots of misinformation out there. This handbook cuts through the confusing advice. Written by the medical experts working with Long Covid patients at one of the first specialist clinics set up, it is filled with helpful case studies and was written with the involvement of real Long Covid sufferers. The focus is on self-management with a simple, consistent message about improving symptoms. Each chapter takes a different issue in turn and offers clear, friendly guidance on key areas such as breathlessness, psychological aspects, brain fog, fatigue, returning to exercise and returning to work.

First published in 1993, Blake Morrison's And When Did You Last See Your Father? is an extraordinary portrait of family life, father-son relationships and bereavement. It became a best-seller and inspired a whole genre of confessional memoirs, winning the Waterstone's/Volvo/Esquire Award for Non-Fiction and the J. R. Ackerley Prize for Autobiography. This edition includes a new afterword by the author.

Until December 15, 2007, Khundrakpam Pradipkumar Singh was nobody. The very next day he was known across his state as 'Mr Manipur'. Pradip's incredible story of how an HIV-positive person mended his failing health, overcame psychological trauma, fought stigma and discrimination to become an international bodybuilding champion is told in the pages of this book. Like legendary basketball player Magic Johnson, Pradip too disclosed his HIV status through the media, not giving a damn about society's shocked reaction. However, there is something unique in Pradip's story. While Johnson called it quits after being diagnosed with HIV, Pradip remained undaunted in the face of all odds. He was determined to excel in his chosen field despite warnings from doctors and adverse comments from society. And he went on to win several medals and titles, defeating the virus in his body. Pradip's extraordinary courage and sheer determination caught everyone by surprise. He became a role model for people living with HIV in India and other parts of the globe. He was made Brand Ambassador for HIV/AIDS by the Manipur State AIDS Control Society and was roped in by the India chapter of a global non-profit to lead a pan-India HIV awareness campaign from Delhi. Pradip also took up the cudgels to sensitise people to the ill-effects of drug abuse, to which Manipur is the biggest victim in Northeast India. Given the fact that he contracted the 'deadly virus' through sharing of needles, he sincerely appeals to youngsters to say no to drugs. Pradip has been living with HIV for more than 15 years and continues to be unbelievably strong in mind and body. A true iconoclast, Pradip never gets tired of saying: 'HIV does not kill people, it's society that kills HIV positive people.

Welcome to the therapist in your pocket – full of anxiety-busting advice, read this book to learn how to live better and restore your confidence when panic attacks. Drawing on her own personal experiences with anxiety, therapist Anna Williamson offers easy to follow, expert guidance, alongside clinical psychologist, Dr Reetta Newell. Breaking Mad is packed with coping methods and solutions for those everyday moments where you need a helping hand. From recognising the first warning signs of anxiety, to coping with a panic attack or social anxiety, Anna and Reetta will be with you every step of the way, offering practical strategies and straightforward guidance whenever and wherever you might need it. Whether at home, on the bus, at college, just before a meeting, or even having a meltdown in the work toilet cubicle, Breaking Mad is here for you. So welcome to the club – it's time to tackle anxiety head on!

'Crucial reading for us all' Stylist An inclusive and empowering manifesto for change in women's healthcare – exploring the systemic and deep rooted sexism within medicine, and offering actionable ways for women to advocate for ourselves and others and get the diagnosis and treatment we need. Have you ever been to a doctor and felt like you were being fobbed off or ignored? Did they belittle or overlook your concerns about your health? Ever been told you're just 'hormonal'? You're not alone. Women make up 51 per cent of the population and are the biggest users of healthcare services – for themselves and as mothers and carers. But all the research shows there are massive gender differences in men and women's healthcare. Our pain and suffering has been disbelieved; we are misdiagnosed, given tranquilisers when we need painkillers, antidepressants when we need HRT, and not trusted to make informed choices about our own bodies. As women speak out about their experiences of gaslighting and misdiagnosis, health journalist Sarah Graham investigates what it will take to bridge the gender health gap. Meet the patients, doctors and campaigners who are standing up and fighting back, and find practical tips on advocating for your own health. Be inspired by stories that will incite and offer hope. You're not alone, you're not going mad, and we believe you.