Has your bladder control changed at all?
For instance, have you ever had a sudden leak when you laughed really hard or sneezed? Or perhaps you have an overwhelming urge to go—now? If so, you’re not alone. Many women suffer from urinary incontinence, but it is rarely discussed. But let’s change that!
What if you could understand why this happens and do something about it? Bladder leaks can be caused by pregnancy and menopause, lifestyle habits, or other factors. However, its solutions exist, from simple exercises to lifestyle tweaks and medical treatments.
It’s time to start the conversation and shatter the stigma related to women’s bladder health because you deserve to live leak-free.
In this guide, we will go through the most common causes and the ways to regain confidence and control.
Common Causes of Incontinence in Women
A lot of conditions or factors cause urinary incontinence. That said, understanding those factors is the first step in taking control.
1. Pregnancy and Childbirth
Childbirth and pregnancy can really take a toll on the human body, specifically on women’s urinary systems.
With the passage of time, your baby will press on the bladder to slow down the pelvic floor muscles that allow you to control your urination. Those muscles and nerves are stretched or can sometimes be damaged during vaginal delivery.
Therefore, these symptoms are more likely to cause incontinence in the days or weeks after childbirth.
And even if you have leaks after pregnancy, you are absolutely not alone, and it is completely manageable. Adult pull ups can effectively support during such circumstances. You can wear high-quality pull-ups that will make you feel comfortable and confident during your body’s healing and strengthening period.
They absorb any leaks or moisture, which will assist you in carrying out daily tasks with no issues.
2. Hormonal Change or Menopause
When women hit menopause, many things start to change in their bodies, and among them, one of the biggest is that estrogen levels begin to drop.
But when the levels of estrogen drop, it is harder to control urination because the bladder walls become thinner and weaker. As a result, not surprisingly, this hormonal switch can cause incontinence. So, it is a condition that is more common during and after menopause.
Some of the symptoms are that you may become prone to leaks when you sneeze, cough, or do physical activity.
3. Weakened Pelvic Floor Muscles
Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, uterus, and bowel and help you maintain discharge control.
However, when these muscles weaken, it becomes much harder to control the bladder, causing leakage. These muscles can weaken with age or weight gain, but also from not enough exercise. Under these circumstances, when your pelvic floor is weak, the bladder is not kept closed properly.
For this reason, even when you sneeze, cough, or, usually, when you exercise, you might experience unexpected leaks.
So, of course, it is very important to strengthen your pelvic floor.
4. Overactive Bladder
Life with overactive bladder (OAB) can be very frustrating. It involves having sudden, strong urges to release (even when your bladder is not nearly full). This condition occurs when the bladder muscles automatically contract and cause many trips to the bathroom, often with little warning. It also disrupts daily routines, sleep, and social activities.
With that said, causes for OAB in women can vary from nerve issues, infections, and hormonal changes to too much caffeine or too much alcohol. While it’s typical as people age, it’s not just a thing of getting older.
Fortunately, it is possible to deal with it through various options, like a change of diet, exercise, etc.
5. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
For women who are prone to UTIs, the condition can be uncomfortable. A UTI triggers an inflammation in the bladder that sometimes leads to leakage and a rush to the bathroom.
This cycle is never-ending for those who experience repeated infections and leads to recurrent episodes of incontinence. It not only interrupts the daily routines but can also inflict damage on your emotional well-being.
Solutions for Incontinence in Women
Managing incontinence is possible with proper care and approach. Here are some solutions for incontinence:
1. Pelvic Floor Exercises
Strengthening the pelvic floor is one of the most effective ways to manage incontinence. Kegels, in other words, pelvic floor exercises, are designed to tighten and strengthen these muscles that help control urination and support the bladder. You can add these exercises to your daily routine so that your muscle tone improves and leakage reduces.
Repeat these exercises at least several times a day. At first, it can feel a bit awkward, but with consistency, you will start to notice real improvement in your bladder control.
2. Bladder Training
Having bladder training as a way of managing incontinence can be a game changer. It revolves around training your bladder to hold urine for a longer time. The idea is to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits because this will really give you a boost in confidence and control.
The best thing to do is to keep a bladder diary, so to speak. This tool is very effective for tracking when you go to the bathroom and when you have urges. Noticing these patterns will help you set reachable goals in terms of incontinence.
As a result, with a little patience, you will see great results with bladder training in your daily lives.
3. Diet Changes
Simple changes to your diet help to manage your incontinence. That said, some drinks and foods can cause irritation to your bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic drinks.
For this reason, you should stay hydrated with water and enjoy bladder-friendly foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. A couple of these little changes can contribute to fewer urges and leaks and make you feel more comfortable during incontinence.
4. Using Incontinence Products
Dealing with leaks and incontinence products, such as adult diapers and pull-ups, can be a lifesaver.
This is a discreet and reliable way to deal with incontinence and carry on with your daily life with no need to feel embarrassed. These products have been designed for comfort and absorbency, to keep you dry, and to prevent skin irritation. So there are no embarrassing accidents to worry about.
Ultimately, these products enable you to continue living safely and peacefully, even with incontinence.
Conclusion
Incontinence in women is not uncommon, but it is not something that cannot be managed. After knowing its causes, you can also figure out the right approach to deal with incontinence.
For instance, causes like pregnancy, menopause, OAB, UTI, or pelvic muscles can be dealt with through diet changes, Kegel exercises, or incontinence products.
So, do not worry anymore and incorporate the mentioned solutions in your lifestyle now to live stress-free during incontinence.