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Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Release: National Survey Reveals Constipation is One of the Least Discussed Women's Health Issues

Published: May 16, 2012

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new national survey sponsored by the makers of Dulcolax®, constipation ranks as one of the top women's health issues that women are least likely to discuss. Yet, more than 4 million Americans have frequent constipation, accounting for 2.5 million physician visits a year. To help alleviate the issue and just in time for National Women's Health Week, the makers of the #1 doctor recommended brand of stimulant laxatives are introducing a new product designed specifically for women - Dulcolax® Laxative Tablets for Women. Dulcolax for Women is comfort coated and provides women with a gentle solution for dependable, overnight relief from occasional constipation.

"National Women's Health Week is the perfect opportunity for women to take charge of their health needs, including that unmentionable 'c-word' - constipation," said Jennifer Wider, M.D., medical adviser for Cosmopolitan Magazine and the Society for Women's Health Research. "Women are significantly more likely to suffer from constipation than men, but preventing and treating constipation is almost always simple if you address it like any other health problem."

Additional national constipation survey findings show that:

  • Constipation and sex are statistically tied as the most uncomfortable topics for women to discuss (29% vs. 30%, respectively)
  • 37% of women say they don't talk about constipation with anyone
  • When women do confide in someone about constipation, they are more likely to confide in women than men
    • 34% of women confide in other women, compared to only 25% who confide in men
    • Of women who confide in men, almost all (93%) confide in their husbands or boyfriends
  • Only fertility (53%) and fibromyalgia (44%) rank higher than constipation (41%) for the least heard about or talked about women's health issue

"As a leader in digestive health and regularity, Dulcolax products have provided predictable, gentle relief to millions of people to help them through life's little interruptions," said Peter Piliero, M.D., Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We know that everybody is different and there is no one right way to treat constipation. We are proud to introduce Dulcolax® Laxative Tablets for Women which are comfort-coated for dependable relief gentle enough for sensitive stomachs."

Dulcolax for Women is now available in 25-count packs at local retailers nationwide. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should always ask their health care provider before taking Dulcolax® Laxative Tablets. Recent clinical research that studied 10 mg of Dulcolax (two tablets) showed that bisacodyl, the active ingredient in Dulcolax for Women, is not excreted in breastmilk.

For more tips from Dr. Jennifer Wider on how to stay regular and for information on Dulcolax for Women and other Dulcolax brand products, visit www.DulcolaxUSA.com.

About Dulcolax®

Dulcolax® products of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,have been a leader in constipation relief for over 50 years. Dulcolax® offers a range of solutions for relief from constipation, including Dulcolax® Laxative Tablets, Dulcolax® Laxative Suppositories, Dulcolax® Stool Softeners and now, Dulcolax® Laxative Tablets for Women. For more information on the #1 doctor recommended stimulant for constipation relief, visit www.DulcolaxUSA.com.

About the Survey

The survey was conducted online in two parts by Toluna PLC, from April 9 - 11 (Part 1) and April 12 - 16, 2012 (Part 2), among a nationally representative sample of U.S. women, age 18 and older. The sample size for Part 1 of the survey is 1,141 women, margin of error +/-2.4%; the sample size for Part 2 of the survey is 1,000 women, margin of error +/-3.1%. The data has been weighted for age, gender, region, income and education as well as the behavioral and attitudinal factors to match the true U.S. population. The numbers and counts reflect the U.S. census percentages for each of the questions and its factors.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 44,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavors.

In 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $17.1 billion (13.2 billion euro). R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 23.5% of its net sales.

For more information, please visit http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/boehringerus.

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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