When you have to go, you have to go. When you suffer from overactive bladder (OAB) or a urinary tract infection (UTI) when you have to go, you have to go, and go and go and go again some more. But how common are they, really?

In reality, both are quite common. 1 in 5 – the number of Canadians over the age of 35 who suffer from overactive bladder. 1 in 2 – the number of women who will experience a Urinary Tract Infection. The bottom line is that if you suffer from either of these conditions, you’re not alone.

Both conditions cause an urgency to urinate and an increase in the amount of times this urge is felt. When you have overactive bladder (or OAB), this can mean 8 trips a day and more than once a night. It can also mean difficulty holding back, which can lead to embarrassing accidents. People who struggle with OAB often make lifestyle changes to hide their condition and can internalize a lot of shame.

While some of the symptoms may be similar, the treatment for both conditions is different – antibiotics are normally recommended for UTIs, while a broad range of pharmaceutical and lifestyle modifications are considered to treat OAB. Urinary tract infections are often accompanied with excruciating pain and discomfort. While UTIs are more common in women, men aren’t off the hook completely and may experience similar discomfort.

As common as these conditions are, there are still a lot of people out there with “burning questions.” Unfortunately, these are topics that have been taboo for far too long. It’s that sense of shame and awkwardness that gets in the way of the free flow of information to the people who need it most. It’s time to break the silence.

Our friends at Swiss Natural agree that it’s time to talk about these things openly. That’s why they are holding their first-ever Facebook chat. It will take place November 17 from 8:00-9:00 pm ET and will focus on overactive bladder and UTIs. Pharmacist Jean-Yves Dionne is going to join in through his Facebook account to answer all these questions. The chat will take place on the Swiss Natural Facebook page.

While the knowledge of how to live life more comfortably is a gift everyone will walk away with, there will be three Swiss Natural gift packs given away to the three most engaged participants within the hour-long chat. What a great incentive to get talking! Let’s break the silence together because when it comes to this Facebook chat, you’ve simply got to go!