Katherine Heigl on bladder leaks: “I refuse to let a little giggle dribble stop me”
The Grey’s Anataomy star says it’s time to end the shame around bladder leaks.
She played the confident and quick-witted Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy, but off-screen, Katherine Heigl is keeping it refreshingly real, especially when it comes to the changes that come with motherhood and getting older.
Now, the actor and mum-of-three is the face of a new campaign for women’s health brand Poise, encouraging Aussie women to speak up about a condition that affects more of us than we might realise.
Katherine says she was “shocked” to learn that 2 in 3 Australian women over 25 experience bladder leaks – even more than in the U.S.
Katherine isn’t shy about sharing her own experience. She recalls her first bladder mishap a year after welcoming her youngest, Joshua, in 2017:
“I was just like, ‘Oh, excuse me, I’m going to need to go change my underwear.’ I kind of just laughed through it versus feeling shame. But then you start going through perimenopause and it’s just all falling apart. So you just have to embrace it.”
Her honest and humorous take is part of a growing push to normalise what so many women go through quietly.
Why she’s speaking out – and why it matters to mums
As a mother to three children, Katherine knows how important it is to feel supported during the many physical and emotional shifts of motherhood. The Firefly Lane star shares daughters Naleigh, 15, and Adalaide, 13, and son Joshua, 8, with husband Josh Kelley.
The couple became first-time parents in 2009 after adopting Naleigh from South Korea, before welcoming Adalaide in 2012 and Joshua in 2017.
“That’s why I’m not okay with anybody out there feeling any kind of shame or embarrassment around this – because it is such a natural progression of female existence. I want us to not take it too seriously and to be able to laugh about it. And it’s such a blessing to have a product that can support you through that.”
For Katherine, speaking out is about connection and reassurance:
“Just having someone else who’s going through it or having similar experiences makes you feel like, okay, it’s not just me. It’s kind of universal – which is why I feel strongly that there should be more proactive help for all of us women going through this.”
Why bladder leakage is more common than you think
Bladder leaks – also known as urinary incontinence – are incredibly common during pregnancy and postpartum, thanks to hormonal shifts, pressure on the bladder, and the stretching of pelvic floor muscles.
While it’s common, it’s also something many women feel embarrassed to talk about. But as Katherine points out, there’s no reason we should suffer in silence.
What can help? Pelvic floor exercises
One of the most effective ways to manage bladder leaks is to strengthen the pelvic floor, the sling of muscles that supports your bladder, uterus, and bowel. These muscles naturally weaken during pregnancy and childbirth, but gentle daily exercises (yes, we’re talking Kegels!) can make a big difference over time.
If you’re unsure where to start, speak to your GP or women’s health physio – there’s help and support available, and it’s never too late to begin.
Breaking the stigma – with honesty and humour
The campaign aims to normalise the conversation around bladder leaks and perimenopause – and Katherine is all for it.
“That’s why I’m not okay with anybody out there feeling any kind of shame or embarrassment around this – because it is such a natural progression of female existence. I want us to not take it too seriously and to be able to laugh about it. And it’s such a blessing to have a product that can support you through that.”
Her message? You’re not alone – and you’re definitely not the only one going through it.
“Just having someone else who’s going through it or having similar experiences makes you feel like, okay, it’s not just me. It’s kind of universal – which is why I feel strongly that there should be more proactive help for all of us women going through this.”
Leaking a little doesn’t mean somethig is wrong, it means you’re human. And with awareness, support, and small daily habits, you can feel more confident in your body again. Just like Katherine, it starts with speaking up.
