A stoma bag user is “absolutely thrilled” with the decision from supermarket chain Marks & Spencer to launch a range of knickers compatible with their needs.
This marks a significant milestone as M&S becomes the first major retailer in Ireland, aside from specialist online stores, to offer stoma-compatible lingerie.
Each three-pack is priced at €26 and includes options for both single and multiple stoma bag users, with matching bras also on offer.
On Lunchtime Live today, Spin presenter Michaela Hayes, a stoma bag user, described her excitement upon hearing the news.
“I heard about it last week and honestly, the joy I felt on getting an email about underwear, I never thought was possible,” she said.
“I’m thrilled with the news; it’s amazing.”
Crohn's disease
Michaela said she has been wearing a stoma bag for about four years now.
“I have Crohn’s and I was very late getting diagnosed, so I ended up having surgery to get the stoma just before COVID kicked in,” she said.
“It’s the best thing I ever did, and I never regret it but there are obstacles because your stoma bag sits very high - it’s in line with your belly button.
“If you want underwear that feels secure, you need something that goes over your belly button to keep it snug against your body.”
Michaela Hayes in studio with Andrea Gilligan today. Image: NewstalkMichaela said this presents obstacles when purchasing underwear.
“A lot of us with stomas have to wear ‘granny panties’,” she said.
“They’re comfy, but you don’t have the option to feel confident in your underwear.
“Sometimes you just want to wear nice underwear and feel confident, sexy and great.
“We haven’t had that option in mainstream stores until now, so this is the first time and it’s been phenomenal.”
Previous options
She noted that the specialised underwear previously available was “very expensive” compared to M&S.
“Personally, I've never purchased it, and there are also no providers in Ireland,” she said.
“They are mostly based in the UK or the US, and they are small independent companies, which is great but means you have to pay customs charges.
“I’ve always ended up getting super high-waisted, ‘washing day’ knickers.”
M&S range
Michaela said there are other benefits to the M&S range.
“They're cotton, so they’re not as tight or restrictive as Spanx,” she said.
“This means that when your bag fills up throughout the day, there's space for it to expand and you don’t have to worry about leaks, which is great because they’re not ideal.
“I’m delighted that it’s in the mainstream and Marks & Spencer are doing something like this because it will get more people talking about it and they will have models wearing them as part of their advertising campaigns.
“It just makes it more acceptable, and more people will feel confident to talk about it.”
Around 40,000 people wear a stoma bag in Ireland.
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Main image: Split image shows Michaela Hayes in studios alongside an example of M&S' new stoma-compatible underwear.
