Body category

200 million people worldwide are affected by bladder control problems according to the WHO. The Danish company Coloplast choose to design a better living for male incontinence.

Can bladder control problems be part of a normal living and lifestyle? First of all it’s more than normal to suffer from. 1 of 10 men between the ages of 18 and 60 have symptoms of male urinary incontinence and twice as many men above the age of 60 experiences these symptoms. Many of these men struggle with problems concerning their dignity, masculinity, comfort, and confidence, which can severely inhibit their level of social interaction. Until lately the solution to male incontinence was an adult diaper, being bulky, indiscreet and occasionally disclosing the smell of urine. Unsurprisingly, male incontinence is perceived a taboo medical condition with a huge impact on a person’s daily activities and social life.

Developed by the Danish company Coloplast, Conveen Optima has been on the market for three years. The company’s solution to male incontinence symptoms is a discreet, soft and flexible urisheath resembling a condom to be worn on the penis. It provides a safe, discreet and reliable way to capture urine into a bag strapped on the leg, which holds the urine until the user is ready to visit the toilet to empty the bag.

The packaging is designed to be compact and discreet and aims to move the perceptions of the product away from sickness and hospitals. Rather, the design of the packaging is perceived as a personal healthcare product such as tooth picks or mints. Being able to bring along packages of Conveen Optima discreetly on outings enables a more normal life with mobility and social activities and without the worries of being recognized as incontinent.

Compared to an adult diaper, Conveen Optima allows the user to maintain his sense of masculinity and a higher sense of hygiene as well as helps reducing the helplessness and loss of control experienced by many men affected by bladder control problems.

CONVEEN OPTIMA
ISSUE:	Male urinary incontinence is a taboo medical condition with a huge impact on a person’s daily activities and social life.
INTENT	The development of a soft and flexible urisheath to capture urine into a bag, enabling as normal a life as possible.
WHO:	The Danish company Coloplast, developing products and services that make life easier for people with personal and private medical conditions. www.coloplast.com