Table 4 GRADE-CERQUAL summary of findings

Am i ill or is this normal?

[116,117,118,119,120,121, 123, 125, 129,130,131, 133,134,135, 137,138,139,140,141,142, 144,145,146, 150, 151, 153, 154, 156]

3 key paper, 38 satisfactory

34 direct, 3 indirect, 3 partial

28/41

80

High 20 to 31 studies contributed 69 to 93 concepts that supported these themes. We also found rich use of narrative to support the themes

It effects who i am and how i feel

[126, 127, 129,130,131, 133,134,135,136,137, 139, 141,142,143,144,145, 148, 149, 151, 153]

2 key paper, 39 satisfactory

37 direct, 3 indirect 1 partial

20/41

69

I feel stigmatised, ashamed and guilty

[116,117,118,119, 121,122,123,124,125, 127,128,129,130,131, 134,135,136,137, 140,141,142,143,144,145, 149, 152, 155, 156]

4 key paper, 37 satisfactory

38 direct,

2 indirect

1 partial

28/41

80

Talking can be difficult (but it can help)

[116,117,118,119,120, 122,123,124,125, 128,129,130,131,132,133,134, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144,145,146,147,148,149, 151, 153,154,155,156]

3 key paper, 38 satisfactory

33 direct,

5 indirect, 3 partial

31/41

93

I must keep incontinence under control

[116,117,118,119,120,121,122,123, 125, 127, 128, 131, 133,134,135,136,137,138,139,140,141,142,143, 150,151,152,153, 155, 156]

4 key paper, 37 satisfactory

34 direct,

4 indirect, 3 partial

29/41

76

Have i got to the point that i need help?

[118, 125, 134, 135, 145, 146, 150, 154, 155]

1 key paper, 40 satisfactory

40 direct,

1 indirect

9/41

17

Moderate downgraded due to fewer studies contributing although narrative rich