How I Finally Became Comfortable Talking About Constipation and Incontinence

Simply Flava – Real Talk Health

Let me tell you something I never thought I’d say publicly:

I’m officially comfortable talking about constipation and incontinence.

Yes… me.

Miss Leopard Print & Sunflowers.

Miss Storyteller.

Miss “I’ll share everything except that.”

But the truth is… life humbled me, and then it healed me. And somewhere in that process, I realized something:

If I’m going through this, I know somebody else is too — and they’re probably scared to say it out loud.

So here we are.

Talking about the “taboo topics” with a little humor, a lot of honesty, and absolutely no shame.

Why I’m Speaking Up Now

When your body goes through trauma — injury, nerve damage, surgeries, long-term pain — it has a funny way of rearranging your whole life without asking for permission. And bowel and bladder function? Oh, they’re front row on that list.

People don’t realize how connected everything is:

The spine

The nerves

The pelvic floor

The intestines

How much water you drink

How much you move

What medications you’re on

What you eat

All of it plays a role.

And when one system slows down, backs up, or shuts down… the rest of your body will absolutely let you know.

Sometimes loudly.

Sometimes inconveniently.

Sometimes in the middle of standing up too fast. 🙃

What Truly Opened My Mind Was… My Job

Every single day, I talk to patients from all walks of life — young, older, men, women, every background you can imagine. And you know what?

So many of them quietly suffer with:

Back pain Constipation

Incontinence

Unpredictable bladder pressure

Embarrassment they shouldn’t even have to carry

And I see the shame on their faces and hear it in their voices.

The hesitation.

The “I don’t want to admit this, but…” moment.

And I realized:

How can I expect them to feel safe telling their truth if I’m hiding mine?

So I started telling it.

Not with drama.

Not with pity.

Just with honesty.

Because someone has to open the door.

The Freedom in Saying, “Me too.”

Let me tell you — the day I said out loud, “Yes, I struggle with constipation and sometimes I leak when I stand up,” it felt like I opened a window in a stuffy room.

Relief.

Fresh air.

Zero shame.

Because these are normal issues when the body, the nerves, or the spine have been through something.

It’s not:

A failure A flaw Or something to whisper about in the dark

It’s health.

It’s human.

It’s life.

And if one person hears my truth and feels seen — feels less alone — then that’s purpose.

So Here’s My Heart on This

I share my truth because I care.

Because I understand.

Because you’re not the only one.

And because humor, honesty, and compassion help loosen the heaviness of these topics.

If I can talk about it…

If I can make it normal…

If I can help us laugh, learn, and breathe a little easier…

Then I’m doing exactly what God intended me to do.

Simply Flava 🌻💛