Why Dr. Mora is Officially Over Katherine Heigl
Why Dr. Mora is Officially Over Katherine Heigl
— A sass-meets-science open letter about leaks, lies, and swimmies
Let me start with this: I’ve never had strong feelings about Katherine Heigl. She was charming in 27 Dresses, surprisingly enjoyable in Knocked Up, and a solid B+ presence in Suits. I haven’t joined the Grey’s Anatomy cult yet, so no opinion there.
But recently? I’m officially over it.
Why?
Because Katherine Heigl — queen of the romcom shoulder shrug and glossy “I’m just like you” persona — is now using her power as a relatable celebrity to normalize incontinence… with Poise Pads.
And look, I’m all for normalizing the conversation about leaking. I spend every single day treating people who struggle with incontinence — postpartum parents, active older adults, athletes, new moms, perimenopausal folks, even teens.
Incontinence is common. But it is not your forever normal.
So when a celebrity with influence — someone who markets herself as the “everywoman” — tells the world, “Hey, leaking happens! Just toss a pad in your undies and carry on!” I want to scream into the group chat.
Because pads are not a plan.
💧The Real Numbers
According to the National Association for Continence:
Over 25 million Americans experience some form of incontinence.
Up to 1 in 3 women leak during exercise, sneezing, laughing, or coughing.
Many think it's a “normal” part of aging or motherhood — and never seek help.
But here’s the good news:
Pelvic floor therapy is an evidence-based, sustainable solution. Studies show that pelvic floor therapy can improve or completely resolve symptoms in 70–80% of people with stress or urge incontinence.
So yes — it’s common. But no — it doesn’t have to be your normal.
🌈 And It’s Not Just Women
Can we also stop pretending that incontinence is just a women’s issue?
People of all genders can experience leaking:
Trans and nonbinary folks may struggle with bladder or bowel dysfunction related to hormone therapy, pelvic surgeries, or dysphoria-related tension in the pelvic floor.
Intersex individuals may have unique anatomical or hormonal factors affecting bladder control — and are often excluded from these conversations entirely.
Men experience incontinence after prostate surgery, due to pelvic floor weakness, or following trauma or chronic constipation — and often feel even more shame because society doesn’t talk about it.
So when Katherine Heigl shows up saying, “We all leak, just grab a Poise Pad,” it’s not just oversimplified — it’s incomplete and exclusive.
Pelvic health affects everyone.
And everyone deserves more than a panty liner and a wink.
🩲 Poise Pads Are Like Swimmies
Do you remember those inflatable arm floaties — swimmies? We used them in the pool as kids, flapping around awkwardly while we figured things out.
That’s how I think about incontinence pads.
They might be helpful temporarily while you’re learning how to manage symptoms. They might even be a lifesaver while you’re figuring out a postpartum body or navigating perimenopause.
But if the long-term plan is just “wear a pad forever”... that’s not healing. That’s management, not progress.
💸 Pads Aren’t Just Expensive — They’re Exhausting (and Wasteful)
Let’s talk real-life cost.
The average person dealing with urinary incontinence may use 1–5 pads per day. That’s hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars per year — literally being thrown in the trash.
Over a lifetime, that adds up to tens of thousands of dollars.
That’s not including the cost of skincare products to deal with irritation, laundry for leaks, or emotional stress from always having to “be prepared.”
And the environmental impact?
Disposable pads take 500–800 years to decompose. Most are made with plastic, adhesives, and synthetic fibers that clog landfills and pollute waterways.
Compare that to:
A short course of pelvic floor therapy (often covered by insurance)
Lifestyle modifications like bladder training, fluid timing, or gentle core exercises
Pessary devices — a reusable, affordable option for structural support in some cases
It’s not just about feeling better.
It’s about making smart, sustainable choices for our wallets and the planet.
So no, Katherine. Your pad sponsorship isn’t “empowering” — it’s expensive, short-sighted, and environmentally sketchy.
🎤 So Here's the Truth, From Dr. Mora
Leaks aren’t just a “normal part of being a woman.”
You don’t need to spend the rest of your life hoping no one notices.
And you sure as heck don’t need to build your identity around a panty liner.
There are better solutions than pads.
There is real help available.
And there are clinics like ours where people are healing every day.
👇 Ready to Ditch the Swimmies?
We’ve got you covered with real tools that actually work:
✅ Book an office visit with a pelvic floor therapist who gets it
✅ Join our Healthy Bladder Challenge — a free resource to get you started
✅ Come to our next pelvic floor workshop at Ola Kai Functional Fitness on Sunday, June 8 at 10:30 am
(You’ll learn why pee leaks happen, some strategies to stop them, and why nothing is TMI when it comes to pelvic health.)
Let’s replace shame with science.
Let’s choose solutions that empower.
Let’s stop slapping a pad on the problem.
With love and a side of sass,
Dr. Mora
