Bladder Leakage Handbook: Causes, Products, and More
As we get older, a lot of things change about our bodies, especially as it relates to going to the bathroom. What was once a well-oiled machine can now feel like a leaky faucet, springing unexpected drips on us as we go about our daily lives. Leaks can happen when we least expect it, like when laughing with good friends at brunch or going the extra mile in spin class. But they shouldn’t ruin a good time!
There’s one important thing to remember about the undesired urinary outflow: It happens to most of us. In fact, research indicates that about 200 million people worldwide experience urinary incontinence (UI), but as few as 22 percent seek care for the condition. Your decision to tackle it head-on means you’re in the minority, but it also means that you’re well on your way to finding simple ways to live with it gracefully, so congratulations!
In this handbook, we seek to provide practical tips and lifestyle advice to those with bladder incontinence. We’re here to cover the basics of leakage and suggest the best incontinence products for women. Whether you want to know what may be causing it or want a few tips for handling unexpected leaks, we can help!
What’s Your Type?
The first step to dealing with any condition is to try to understand it and get to its root cause. Usually, bladder leakage is caused by one of two types of incontinence — urge incontinence and stress incontinence. Determining which type of incontinence is affecting you is a great starting point to finding the right treatment strategy.
Stress Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurs when the pelvic floor muscles become weak and are unable to support the pelvic organs — including the bladder, sphincter, urethra, etc. — as well as they once could. This causes you to feel stress or pressure when you have to go. You probably experience stress incontinence if you have leakage when you exercise, sneeze, cough, lift heavy objects, have sex, or laugh.
Urge Incontinence
Urge urinary incontinence (UUI) is a form of overactive bladder (OAB) that causes frequent urination that’s usually associated with a strong urge sensation. If you feel a strong urge to go to the restroom, but barely anything comes out when you get there, you may have urge incontinence. Urge incontinence is a bit less predictable than stress incontinence, and it may happen while you’re sleeping or drinking water.
Consider the Cause
Under the stress and urge incontinence umbrellas, there are a number of unique conditions that cause our bladders to get a little leaky and grumpy. If you can narrow down the type of incontinence you experience, you’ll be one step closer to figuring out why your leakage is occurring and how to approach treatment. Here are a few of the most common reasons why each of these types of incontinence occurs.
Urge Incontinence
This type of incontinence happens when the bladder muscles become active at the wrong times. Whether you’ve got to go or not, UUI makes you think you do. Urge incontinence may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as bladder cancer or bladder stones, so it’s not something to ignore! Some of the most common culprits of urge incontinence include:
- Urinary Infection.Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other types of infections that lead to bladder inflammation and irritation can cause temporary urge incontinence. Infections irritate your bladder and make it feel like you have to go when you don’t. Luckily, though they can be quite disruptive to your everyday life, UTIs are relatively easy to treat with the right course of action. They’re also somewhat preventable.
- Bladder Cancer.Frequent urination and urgency are associated with bladder cancer and can be early signs of the condition. When it’s cancer, they occur alongside other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, blood in the urine, weight loss, and bone pain. Make sure to check with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms together.
- Bladder Stones, also known as bladder calculi. These hard crystal masses develop over time due to the proteins and minerals in urine. They develop for a number of reasons, including bladder prolapse, nerve damage to the bladder, and a poor diet with not enough fluids. Some additional signs of bladder stones include pain urinating, blood in the urine, and dark or cloudy urine.
- Nerve Damage. Various conditions that cause nerve damage can cause urge incontinence, including diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, damage to the spinal cord, and injury. This happens because the nerves send important messages from the urinary tract to the brain, letting it know when it’s time to go. When they malfunction, they can send the wrong signals at the wrong time.
- Bladder Hernia (Cystocele). This condition occurs when the bladder bulges into the vagina. It can develop as a result of childbirth, constipation, coughing, or other kinds of strain to the pelvic muscles.
Stress Incontinence
The primary cause of stress incontinence is a weak pelvic floor, which can be caused by a host of different conditions. The pelvic floor muscles serve as a support system for the rest of the urinary tract, including the uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum. When weak or atrophied, you have less control over these muscles, which prevents you from being able to stop the flow when you’re not ready to go. Practicing pelvic floor exercises can help. Some common causes include:
- Childbirth, especially among women who have given birth vaginally multiple times. During a vaginal delivery, the muscles in the sphincter and pelvis get stretched out and fail to do their job properly. Since giving birth is one of the most common triggers of bladder leakage, it’s surprisingly common among women in their 30s and 40s.
- Prolapse.Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when a weak pelvic floor allows the pelvic organs to bulge or sag into the vagina. This can put stress on the bladder and prevent you from being able to control the pelvic floor muscles like you once could. Research shows that 80 percent of women with pelvic organ prolapse experience stress incontinence.
- Menopause.As we bid farewell to menstruation, we welcome a few minor annoyances in its place. When we reach menopausal age, the estrogen levels in our body dip, which can cause the lining of the urethra to thin and the pelvic floor muscles to weaken. This contributes to stress incontinence and limits your ability to control the pelvic floor muscles, causing you to pee while coughing, laughing, or exercising.
- Obesity.Carrying extra weight in the mid-section can put unnecessary pressure on the bladder and other pelvic organs, which can cause you to lose control over the pelvic floor muscles and experience leakage. Losing weight and improving your diet are two common treatment and prevention measures for those with stress incontinence.
- Chronic Cough.Chronic cough due to smoking or an underlying condition can contribute to stress incontinence because it puts extra strain and pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. Some common conditions that cause chronic cough include asthma, acid reflux, and postnasal drip. Certain medications, including blood pressure drugs, can also contribute to a chronic cough.
Finding the Right Products and Solutions
When you’re armed with the right products and tips, life with bladder leakage is no big deal. Be sure to reference the following advice and product suggestions to ensure that you’re ready for every little surprise, whether it’s a light leak or a heavy surge.
Know the Difference Between Product Types
There are three common types of bladder leakage products you should have in your stash so you’re prepared for pretty much anything. From ultralight incontinence liners to pull-on options ideal for a heavier flow, you may need one or all of these options. Remember to try all kinds of products — and maybe even keep a few of each on hand at all times — before committing to a single style.
- Liners. Incontinence liners, such as Poise liners or Tena liners, are the thinnest and most discreet option. They are perfect for little dribbles and partial leaks, especially those that happen while being active. Ultra-thin options are quiet and slim so you barely even notice them.
- Pads. Incontinence pads are similar to liners in design except they tend to be more absorbent, making them better for moderate to heavy leaks and all-day wear. Incontinence pads and liners differ from pull-on options in that they feature an adhesive that sticks to your underwear, making them easy to swap out during bathroom breaks.
- Underwear. Incontinence underwear pulls on like regular underwear and provides maximum protection with the highest level of absorbency. Today’s incontinence underwear is amazingly discreet and feels like regular fabric to fit neatly beneath your clothes. Many women opt to wear pull-on incontinence underwear to bed for an extra layer of protection.
Work Those Pelvic Floor Muscles
Your pelvic floor muscles are, well… muscles. That means that they’re incredibly resilient and can be strengthened and toned just like your abs or biceps. If you believe that your leakage is happening as a result of stress incontinence related to a pelvic floor that has atrophied, you might want to consider taking your pelvic floor to the gym. Metaphorically, of course. A set of kegel balls can help you get your pelvic floor muscles back in shape on your own schedule. Added bonus: A stronger pelvic floor can make orgasms bigger and stronger!
Practice Prevention
You know what they say: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While we can’t always cure urinary incontinence, we can do our best to keep the urinary tract happy to stave off leaks. Simple lifestyle changes can do wonders for improving the health of your pelvic organs. Try your best to stay away from food and beverages that are considered bladder irritants, including coffee, tea, spicy foods, and alcohol. Losing weight, quitting smoking, and drinking enough water each day are also excellent changes to make if you want to prevent bladder leakage in the future.
When in Doubt, Talk to Your Doctor
As we’ve already covered, despite the fact that it’s so common, most women don’t seek treatment or medical advice for bladder leakage. But your primary care physician or OB/GYN will be able to carefully assess your overall health to determine the best course of action for you. She will also be able to rule out any underlying causes or health conditions. It’s very important that you speak up about your leakage if you feel it’s affecting your daily life. Trust us, there’s nothing to be ashamed of!
Prepare for Life’s Little Leaks
With a stash of the right bladder leakage products and a toolkit to help you strengthen and prevent, you’ll see that a little leakage won’t ruin your day. Be sure to bookmark this handbook so you have quick answers to all your pressing questions the next time you feel a leak coming on. At Sofia & Grace, we’re more than happy to connect you with the best solutions and a supportive community to help you embrace urinary leakage at any stage of life.