Women’s Urinary Incontinence: 4 Helpful Smartphone Apps

by General Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
A couple of years ago we blogged about a helpful restroom-locator smartphone app.Back then, these kinds of apps were few and far between. In fact, the most useful one we found was Sit or Squat.. At that time, this appeared to be an independent app that worked a lot like any public domain app—you took what was helpful, and hopefully left some helpful information, too.

Since then, the app has been taken over by Charmin, which makes sense if you think about the integral role that toilet paper plays in women’s urinary incontinence! The name has changed, but the features remain the same or better. You can still access restroom locations, review restrooms, and add comments.

Restroom-Finder Apps: Then and Now
Restroom-finder apps have come a long way since we last blogged about them. Could this be because there are so many more baby boomer’s suffering from women’s urinary incontinence? Could this be because urinary incontinence and other symptom of poor pelvic health are becoming more prevalent than diseases such as asthma or diabetes? Could these reasons be driving the need for these kinds of apps? We think so!

In any case, if you have urinary incontinence and need to know the location of bathrooms wherever you are, rest assured that these days you can choose from several different apps. The most commonly downloaded ones are:

Sit or Squat: free for iPhone and Android
Find Toilets: free for Android and 99 cents for iPhone
Have2P: free for iPhone
Toilet Finder: free for iPhone and Android (Nokia and Windows Phone versions also)

Each of these apps has its own unique features. Sit or Squat allows you to add new locations and also review the quality of the pit stop (“Sit” means high-quality while low-quality rates a “Squat”). Find Toilets helps you out with GPS directions, and Toilet Finder tells you how long it will take you to get to the nearest toilet! Have2P also allows reviews of the restroom, but only seems to be available on iPhone for now.

As technology improves we will surely continue to see an improvement in the apps available to people who need to go while on the go. If you suffer from women’s urinary incontinence you can help yourself by downloading these apps to assist you when you are out and about. If you haven’t called your doctor yet for solutions, you can definitely alleviate your symptoms by asking for help (click here if you need help talking to your doctor).

You can also help others who have women’s urinary incontinence by adding restroom locations, reviewing restroom locations, and generally giving feedback to app developers. You never know when having that app is going to make the difference between having an accident and staying high and dry!

Feel Like You are Sitting on a Ball?

by Pelvic Floor MusclesPelvic Floor WeaknessPelvic Organ ProlapsePOP
If you feel like you are sitting on a ball sometimes (even though you are not!) or maybe just feel like you parts are “falling out down there,” then chances are that you have pelvic organ prolapse, also called POP.With POP, your parts down south are literally succumbing to gravity. Talk about the “fallout” associated with aging-as if wrinkles and that hard-to-get-rid-of underarm fat aren’t enough!

But here’s the thing-you are not alone and the condition is definitely treatable. One in five U.S. women is affected by POP, and 30% of U.S. women over 50 have this condition. And of course, the condition becomes more common the older we get-no big surprise there!

Almost 50% of women who have had vaginal births will develop some form of POP in their lifetime. The uterus, bladder, intestines, and rectum are all located around the vagina. Because of their close proximity, it is possible for them to “herniate” or bulge into the vagina. Such bulges are called pelvic floor prolapse and present as a feeling of pelvic pressure or heaviness. Who is at risk? Moms, heavy-lifters, and smokers are susceptible. POP can be brought on by chronic coughing, chronic constipation, menopause, normal aging, previous pelvic surgery (hysterectomy), or genetics.

Symptoms of prolapse include:
– A bulge in your vagina that ranges in size from that of small egg to that of a grapefruit
– Discomfort or pressure in your pelvis or vagina
– Difficulty having a bowel movement
– Difficulty emptying your bladder (can cause overflow incontinence) or your rectum/bowel
– Loss of urinary control with coughing, laughing or sneezing (stress urinary incontinence)
– Pain during intercourse
– Lower back pain
– Increased discomfort with long periods of standing
– Recurrent bladder infections

If you experience any of these symptoms, then you are definitely overdue for a visit with your urologist or gynecologist. You can explore both conservative and surgical options with your healthcare provider, which will relieve you of the feeling that stuff is “falling out” down south!

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Have Pelvic Organ Prolapse? Consider Using a Pessary

by Pelvic Floor WeaknessPelvic Organ ProlapsePessaryPOPWomen's Healthcare
Are things “popping” out down there? If you suffer from pelvic organ prolapse, otherwise known as POP, then chances are that you are far from comfortable. Women with POP can experience symptoms such as a falling sensation in the pelvis, backaches, painful intercourse and more.

Click HERE for a more complete list of POP symptoms.

There are four common types of POP: cystocele (bladder prolapse), rectocele (prolapse of the rectum or large bowel), enterocele (prolapse of the small bowel), and uterine prolapse.

Luckily, there is a conservative solution for women suffering from POP.

It’s called a pessary.

“A pessa-what?” you ask. A pessary-and it’s not as weird as it sounds. A pessary is a plastic or rubber ring-like device that is placed in the vagina to support the bladder, uterus, or rectum. In other words, it’s an artificial support for those internal structures that are a bit saggy because of childbirth, gravity, or aging.

Some women find that wearing a pessary helps alleviate the discomfort caused by POP and helps empty the bladder. A gynecologist can fit you with a pessary in the office. If you have a pessary, once a month you need to remove the pessary or have your physician remove it to have it cleaned and re-inserted. Pessaries rarely cause problems but can increase the chance of developing vaginal irritation or infection. It’s important to have a pessary that fits properly.

The use of a pessary is a great non-surgical treatment for POP and is useful for women who either don’t want surgery or still want to have more children. Plus, pessaries are very effective. Studies show that women with POP find improvement with a pessary and for some women symptoms go away completely.

Sound good? Check in with your healthcare provider to see if a pessary is the perfect solution for your POP problems!

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7 Tips for Coping with Urine Leakage During Exercise

by General Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
Do you have to bring an extra towel with you to your cardio class to “mop up” the urine you leak when you jump, step, or kick?That can be embarrassing, not to mention discouraging to even the most optimistic of women. Yet women’s urinary incontinence keeps many ladies from exercising as much as they would like.Luckily, you can take some simple steps to avoid urine leakage during exercise. Using some or all of these tips can get you back on your exercise program before you know it. Plus, you’ll be staying high and dry during your workout, without any embarrassing pauses for “mopping up”!

Preventing Urine Leakage During Exercise – 7 Tips
Tip #1: Exercise Your Body Inside and Out
Being able to work out at the gym without urine leakage may depend on how regularly you exercise your pelvic floor muscles. Regularly exercising these muscles can keep you toned and fit internally, which prevents urine leakage. For the scoop on pelvic floor muscle contractions (also called Kegels) check out our free informational ebook.     Download the “What’s Up Down There” ebook here.Tip #2: Take Your Prescribed Medication for Women’s Urinary Incontinence
If your doctor has prescribed medication that eases your urinary incontinence symptoms, be sure to keep taking your medication. If you have stopped taking your medication because of the side effects (such as dry mouth, constipation, or dry eyes), try some of our strategies for coping with these side effects. You’ll find it much easier to deal with medication side effects than with urine leakage—plus you get to keep up with your exercise program. Check out our strategies for coping with medication side effects here.

Tip #3: Limit Fluid Intake
While it is important to stay hydrated when you exercise, limiting your fluid intake just before your exercise session can help prevent urine leakage. You are the best judge of how much fluid you need to drink before and during your workout to stay hydrated while preventing leakage accidents. Experiment with different levels of fluid intake until you see some level of improvement in your urinary incontinence symptoms. Normally, women need to drink between four and nine cups of water per day to stay hydrated. Timing your fluid intake to avoid exercise times can reduce urine leakage during workouts.

Tip #4: Avoid Bladder Irritating Food and Drinks
Did you know that certain food or drinks can irritate your bladder, which can worsen your symptoms of urine leakage? One of the ways to avoid a urine leakage incident during your workout is to avoid these food and drinks at all times, and especially on days when you plan to exercise. Click here for a list of bladder irritants to avoid.

Tip #5: Urinate Just Before Working Out
Emptying your bladder before your workout can prevent leakage accidents. You can go a step further by practicing double voiding. Double voiding means urinating until you feel that your bladder is empty. Then, wait a few seconds, and urinate again. This allows your bladder to empty completely, which can help prevent symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, which is also called overactive bladder.

Tip #6: Use a Tampon or Urethral Insert
Both tampons and urethral inserts increase pressure on the urethra and support the bladder. Both of these actions can help prevent urine leakage during while you exercise, especially if you suffer from stress urinary incontinence. If you are interested in using a urethral insert, ask your doctor or urologist.

Tip #7: Use Absorbent Pads or Diapers
While this option seems unattractive for many women, since pads and diapers can be bulky and uncomfortable, you might be surprised at the advances in these products. Trying different absorbent products until you find the one that works for you may allow you to return to an active lifestyle without worrying about that embarrassing “wet panty” look. Check out the different kinds of absorbent products on the market today, and see which ones fit your needs.

Get it? Got it? Good! Go forth and exercise freely!

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Should You Worry if Your Pee Changes Colors?

by Women's Healthcare
Maybe. It depends on the color of your urine. Most of the time, urine is yellow, which is natural. Urine gets its yellow color from a pigment called urochrome, and the color can range from pale yellow to dark amber.

Pale Yellow Urine
When your urine is pale yellow, it could mean that you are drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated. Diuretic drugs can also cause your urine to be pale, since these drugs force extra water out of your system, diluting the color of the urine in the process.

Dark Amber Urine
Dark urine is usually a sign that you are dehydrated, and not drinking enough fluid. Says Dr. Tomas Griebling, M.D., of the urology department at the University of Kansas, “Your body needs a certain amount of fluid to function, so the body will hold on to the fluid and the urine will become very strong and concentrated. When that happens, it will turn a darker color.”

If your urine us dark in color, drink up! Women normally need between four and nine cups of water daily to stay hydrated. If you suffer from nighttime wetting accidents, limit your water intake after 6 pm.

Red Urine
If your urine has a reddish color, it usually means that you have blood in the urine. There is no need panic, since even a single drop of blood in the urine can turn the entire toilet bowl red. However, blood in the urine is a something that you should talk about with your doctor, since it can be a sign of infection or cancer.

Various Rainbow Colors
What if your urine is blue, green, or orange? It can happen, depending on your diet or your drug regimen. For instance, certain drugs can change the color of urine blue or green, while carrots can color your urine orange.

So Now You Know …
Hopefully after reading this article you know a little more about what is up down there, especially if you look in the toilet after you urinate. While this information may not be the subject of cocktail party conversation, it is nevertheless knowledge that empowers you to be your own best healthcare advocate. And that’s what we are all about: arming you with the knowledge you need to take care of yourself and your health!

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Do Herbal Remedies Work for Urinary Incontinence?

by General Urinary IncontinenceMixed Urinary IncontinenceStress Urinary IncontinenceUrge Urinary IncontinenceUrinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
With the array of herbal and botanical formulas on the market today for women’s urinary incontinence, there is a strong temptation to “go natural.”After all, what could be better than using products from nature to deal with women’s urinary incontinence?

There is certainly nothing wrong with using herbs and other natural products. The question is whether these products actually help with urine leakage symptoms, or simply are a waste of time and money.

The best way to discover the effectiveness of herbal products for improving urinary leakage issues to read scientific peer-reviewed studies of the products. Here are just a few products that have been reviewed by the scientific community, as opposed to simply tested by “in-house” teams employed by the companies that make the products.

A Review of 5 Natural Products for Women’s Urinary Incontinence
Some of the more common natural products that have been touted for improving urinary incontinence symptoms include pumpkin seeds, cornsilk, buchu, bromelain, and magnesium. Let’s see how these products act to improve women’s urinary incontinence.

#1: Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds have actually been under significant clinical investigation for treating urinary incontinence. Studies have shown that certain ingredients in pumpkin seeds, including essential fatty acids and compounds like “phytoesterol,” do support a woman’s bladder, especially after menopause. In fact, in one study 75% of postmenopausal women taking pumpkin seeds achieved better bladder control after six weeks.

#2: Cornsilk
Corksilks are the long silky fibers found at the top of an ear of corn. High in flavonoids and polyphenols, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties, cornsilk is believed to reduce inflammation in the bladder. As a result, some women experience a reduced urge to urinate, especially if their urine leakage is related to inflammation.

#3: Buchu
Many herbalists currently prescribe this South American herb for recurring urinary tract infections and overall bladder health. Many doctors point out that urine leakage issues are often related to bladder inflammation, or even mild infections. Even mild inflammation of the bladder can cause a continuous urge to urinate and prevent you from completely emptying your bladder. Since buchu has mild antiseptic properties, it is believed that this herb prevents inflammation.

#4: Bromelain
Bromelain comes from the pineapple plant, and is commonly known to be an anti-inflammatory. As with some of the other herbs mentioned in this article, bromelain is believed to have a healing effect on bladder inflammation.

#5: Magnesium
Athletes know that magnesium is essential to muscle health, and studies indicate that people with Parkinson’s disease find relief from urine leakage symptoms when taking this supplement. Doctors also recognize that magnesium may be useful in controlling bladder spasms, which can cause incomplete emptying of the bladder. In addition, some women find that taking magnesium before bedtime can relieve nighttime wetting issues.

If you suffer from women’s urine incontinence, exploring all your options are key to finding relief. This can include the natural remedies mentioned in this article, medication, physical therapy, acupuncture, and even surgery. The point is that not all solutions work for all women, but there is a solution out there for your urinary incontinence issues. Keep looking until you find a solution that works for you!

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Good Sex and Women’s Urinary Incontinence

by Decreased Sexual SensationGeneral Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
Get this: According to a 2001 Harris survey of folks with overactive bladders (also called urge urinary incontinence), about fifty percent were sexually active … and about two-thirds of those people reported that urine leakage got in the way of their sex lives!Of course, this isn’t all that surprising. Sexual activity can irritate the bladder, which can cause urine leakage. That can be a real show-stopper!

Says Melody Denson, MD, a board-certified urologist with the Urology Team in Austin, Texas, “When you’re being intimate, you’re used to secretions and moistness, but the thought that it’s actually urine leakage is really upsetting and uncomfortable.”

How to Have Good Sex Despite Urinary Incontinence
The truth of the matter is that women with urinary incontinence can (and should) have good sex. Good sex just takes a little more preparation.

1. Do Your Kegels
Not only do Kegels, which are pelvic muscle floor contractions, keep urine where it belongs during sex, but these exercises can also enhance your sexual experience in other ways. Kegels are simple to do. The trick is remembering to do them … regularly! If you are not sure how to do a Kegel correctly, or how to integrate these simple exercises into your daily routine, read our free ebook on the subject. It’s called “What’s Up Down There?” and it covers the basics, plus helps you with troubleshooting.

2. Skip the Wine and Other Bladder Irritants
While wine may sound like the perfect accompaniment to a romantic dinner, it can also ruin an intimate moment after dinner. Wine can irritate the bladder, which can cause urine leakage. To prevent urine leakage, stay away from all bladder irritating foods and drinks, such as caffeinated beverages, acidic foods, and spicy dishes. Get a more complete list of bladder-irritating foods and drinks HERE.

3. Be Ready
Getting ready for intimacy without urine leakage means taking the same steps as avoiding urine leakage at night. Limit fluid intake a few hours before and practice double voiding. And if you haven’t had “the talk” about urinary incontinence with your partner, take the time to do so before getting intimate. It will save both you embarrassment later. Not sure how to talk to your partner? Find out HERE.

Hopefully, these simple steps will help you have a great sex life, despite urinary incontinence symptoms!

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Putting Your Women’s Urinary Incontinence to Bed

by General Urinary IncontinenceMixed Urinary IncontinenceUrge Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
Do you ever curl up in bed after a long day’s work, ready for a restful night’s sleep, only to find that you have to leap out of bed again to pee? Then two hours later, you have to pee again. Two hours later? Ditto …so much for beauty rest!But rest easy. Your problem isn’t insolvable. By making a few conservative lifestyle changes you can sleep solidly for six to eight hours at a time-with no interruptions!

Getting Beauty Rest with Urinary Incontinence
If you are up and down all night, running to the bathroom, then you are not alone! Sixteen percent of people over the age of 18 have the same trouble getting a good night’s sleep. What’s even worse is dealing with the wet sheets when you don’t make it to the bathroom on time.

To avoid all of this hassle, here are some steps you can take to guarantee future nights of beauty rest:

1. Limit Fluid Intake
Stop drinking fluids after 6 pm, or at least 3 hours before bed. To stay hydrated, you need to drink at least four to nine cups of water daily. Just be sure to drink those fluids during the morning and afternoon. Limiting fluid intake in the evening will decrease your need to urinate at night.

2. Double-Void Before Bed
Double-voiding is the practice of urinating twice before you go to bed. First, urinate until you feel that your bladder is empty. Then, go through the rest of your evening routine, such as washing your face or brushing your teeth. Afterwards, urinate again. This ensures that your bladder is truly empty before you go to bed. Alternately, you can double-void by urinating, relaxing on the toilet for 10-20 seconds, and then urinating again.

3. Avoid Bladder-Irritating Food and Drink
If you suffer from urinary incontinence, preventing nighttime wetting accidents means avoiding certain foods and drinks. Caffeinated drinks, alcoholic beverages, acidic foods and juices, spicy dishes, and artificial sweeteners can all worsen urinary incontinence symptoms. Stay away from these items and you should experience better sleep at night.

These three simple lifestyle-changing steps can go a long way toward transforming you from a sleep-deprived grump to Sleeping Beauty!

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When Women’s Urinary Incontinence Messes with Your Intimacy

by General Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
Does this sound familiar?You excuse yourself several times during a dinner date to go to the bathroom. You avoid sex to prevent the embarrassment of leaking urine at “the big moment.” You keep postponing a romantic trip because you are afraid you won’t be able to find bathrooms when you really need them.

All of these situations may seem perfectly normal to you if you are coping with urinary incontinence, but they may cause your significant other to wonder if the relationship is headed for a breakup.

Yikes! What’s a gal to do? Don’t panic. Instead, spend some time talking with your significant other about your urinary incontinence problem.

How to Talk with Your Significant Other
While talking to your partner about urinary leakage certainly isn’t the most romantic topic in the world, it can certainly put your mind at ease … not to mention keep your partner from wondering why you are acting so strangely! There are two things you can do to make the conversation easier:

1. Choose the right moment to raise the issue
2. Be careful, thorough, and patient in your explanation

Choosing the Right Moment
Let’s take the first point-choosing the perfect moment. Since discussing your urinary incontinence issue an important topic, you want to pick a time when you have your partner’s undivided attention. For instance, a quiet walk in the park or a private lunch at home would both be good times to raise the issue. You might want to avoid bringing up the subject as you head into the bedroom. Also avoid raising the topic over the phone because silences are difficult to interpret if you can’t see your partner’s face!

Explain Carefully
Once you start the conversation with your partner, describe your symptoms carefully and simply. Explain how these symptoms impact your life, and how you cope with these symptoms. You will also want to tell your partner about the steps you are taking to treat your urinary incontinence, whether you are participating in physical therapy, using medication, or considering surgery.

If you feel embarrassed discussing the subject, write a list of talking points. This will help you get through the conversation without skipping any important information. Finally, give your partner a chance to ask questions, and answer as honestly as you can.

Honesty Helps
While talking about women’s urinary incontinence isn’t very romantic, having the discussion can really deepen your relationship with your partner. You’ll probably be surprised … urinary leakage is most likely “no big deal” to your partner. And, as they say, “Honesty is the best policy.”

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Dealing with Women’s Urinary Incontinence While Exercising

by General Urinary IncontinenceMixed Urinary IncontinenceStress Urinary IncontinenceUrge Urinary IncontinenceUrinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
If you suffer from women’s urinary incontinence, you are probably wary about exercising in public. The embarrassment of a urine leakage accident occurring while you jog on a crowded public trail or ride an exercise bike at the gym can be enough to keep you at home!Unfortunately, avoiding workouts won’t really help your urine leakage problem. In fact, lack of exercise–and the resulting weight gain–can actually worsen your urinary leakage problems. That’s why it is important to deal with your urinary incontinence so that you can work out in a way that is comfortable for you. We have some tips that can empower you to return to the gym without fear of urinary leakage.

Five Ways to Cope with Urinary Incontinence While Exercising
There are many conservative measures you can take to prevent or minimize urinary leakage when you exercise. Here are five ways you can help yourself stay dry while you exercise.

Tip #1: Limit Fluid Intake
While it is important to stay hydrated when you exercise, limiting your fluid intake just before your exercise session can help prevent urine leakage. You are the best judge of how much fluid you need to drink before and during your workout to stay hydrated while preventing leakage accidents. Experiment with different levels of fluid intake until you see some level of improvement in your urinary incontinence symptoms. Normally, women need to drink between four and nine cups of water per day to stay hydrated.

Tip #2: Urinate Just Before Working Out
Emptying your bladder before your workout can go a long way toward preventing leakage accidents. You can go a step further by practicing double voiding. Double voiding means urinating until you feel that your bladder is empty. Then, wait a few seconds, and urinate again. This allows your bladder to empty completely, which can help prevent symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, which is also called overactive bladder.

Tip #3: Use a Tampon or Urethral Insert
Both tampons and urethral inserts increase pressure on the urethra and support the bladder. Both of these actions can help prevent urine leakage during while you exercise, especially if you suffer from stress urinary incontinence.

Tip #4: Use Absorbent Pads or Diapers
While this option seems unattractive for many women, since pads and diapers can be bulky and uncomfortable, you might be surprised at the advances in these products. Trying different absorbent products until you find the one that works for you may allow you to return to an active lifestyle without worrying about that embarrassing “wet panty” look. Check out the different kinds of absorbent products on the market today, and see which ones fit your needs.

Tip #5: Exercise Your Body Inside and Out
Being able to work out at the gym without urine leakage may depend on how regularly you exercise your inner muscles “down there.” Regularly exercising your pelvic floor muscles can keep you toned and fit internally, which prevents urine leakage. For the scoop on pelvic floor muscle contractions (also called Kegels) check out our free informational ebook.

Download the “What’s Up Down There” ebook here.

If you enjoyed this post, we invite you to leave a comment, contact us, download our ebook, or follow us on Twitter.

 

Women’s Urinary Incontinence: Relaxing Can Help

by General Urinary Incontinence
When it comes to women’s urinary incontinence, relaxation can be the last thing that comes to mind. Dealing with urinary leakage definitely isn’t a relaxing event! Instead, leakage accidents have most women running for the bathroom in a panic.Believe it or not, relaxation can be a key to preventing urinary leakage. Really!

Why Relaxation Helps Prevent Urinary Incontinence
There are two major ways that relaxation can help you avoid urine leakage:

1. Relaxation helps you empty your bladder completely.
2. Relaxation gives you time to do a Kegel, which can prevent urine leakage.

Let’s explore the first point: how relaxation can help you empty your bladder completely. By using a practice called double-voiding, you can ensure that you empty your bladder completely each time you go to the bathroom. This prevents urine leakage later, and also increases your bladder capacity. To double-void, take your time in the bathroom. First, urinate until you feel your bladder is empty. Then, wait about 10 seconds and then try to urinate again. You might be surprised that you still have to urinate. This is why it is important to relax and take your time when you are in the bathroom. Taking the time to double-void can prevent urine leakage accidents later.

Relaxation can also give you time to do a Kegel exercise or two on your way to the bathroom. If you feel the sudden urge to urinate, instead of panicking and running for the restroom, simply relax. Breathe deeply as you make your way to the bathroom, and do a couple of pelvic muscle contractions (Kegels). Kegel contractions can really help prevent urine leakage because they help tighten the sphincter muscles around the urethra, as well as supporting the bladder. Having a regular Kegel practice can keep these muscles in good shape, too.

Not sure how to do a Kegel? Get the scoop on what’s up down there with our free “how-to” ebook.

Download the ebook here.

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Women’s Urinary Incontinence: You are Not Alone!

by General Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
Millions of women in the United States and around the world are keeping a little secret:urinary incontinence

The irony of the situation is that millions of women are keeping their urine leakage problem a secret-all the while thinking that they are alone-when, in fact, they have a tremendous amount of company.

Some Statistics about Women’s Urinary Incontinence
If you suffer from urine leakage and feel that you are isolated, then these statistics should change your mind. Did you know that:

– Almost half of all women who have had children have stress incontinence by the time they are age 40

– Stress and urge urinary incontinence (also called overactive bladder) are highly prevalent, even among younger women

– In the U.S., stress incontinence affects over 15 million women while urge incontinence affects more than 16 million women

– 11% of women will have one pelvic surgery, while 29% will have more than one pelvic surgery

Do you still think you are alone? These statistics should convince you otherwise! More importantly, they should convince you of the need to seek attention for your urinary incontinence. While urinary incontinence isn’t exactly cocktail-party conversation, it should be a conversation you have with your healthcare provider

Don’t know where to start? Try digging into some of these resources on how to talk to your doctor and which questions your doctor may ask:

How to Talk to Your Doctor
Which Questions Will Your Doctor Ask About Urinary Incontinence
Preparing for Your Doctor’s Appointment

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Capsaicin: Can Chili Peppers Help with Women’s Urinary Incontinence?

by General Urinary IncontinenceMixed Urinary IncontinenceStress Urinary IncontinenceUrge Urinary Incontinence
As odd as it may seem, capsaicin, the active component of chili peppers, may actually help some women with their urinary incontinence symptoms. This is odd because women suffering from urinary leakage are told to stay away from spicy foods … and that is good advice.However, recent studies show that capsaicin can actually help urinary leakage symptoms by desensitizing certain bladder nerves. This in turn reduces involuntary bladder leakage and, in some women, has been shown to increase bladder capacity.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that capsaicin, which is administered directly into the bladder, can actually worsen bladder and urine leakage symptoms temporarily. Luckily, there is a capsaicin analog called resiniferatoxin, which does not cause the same irritating response while still producing the same positive effects.

The use of capsaicin and its analog are still in the experimental phases of study, but you never know if and when it could become yet another conservative therapy that may help you deal with your women’s urinary incontinence symptoms.

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Strategies for Dealing with Women’s Urinary Incontinence

by General Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
Do you have women’s urinary incontinence? If so, then we have some strategies to help you deal with your urine leakage issues, especially if you are traveling or you simply want to keep an active lifestyle.

There is no need to limit your social activities because of your incontinence. Instead, check out these tips to keep you dry and comfortable.

Women’s Urinary Incontinence: Dealing with Medication Side Effects
Slushies for Urinary Incontinence Symptoms
Pack a Bag When You are Out and About
Tips for Long Distance Travel
3 Ways to Avoid Accidents
Minimize Urine Odors
Use the Right Absorbent Products

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Women’s Urinary Incontinence: Keeping Young Women Out of Sports?

by General Urinary IncontinenceMixed Urinary IncontinenceStress Urinary IncontinenceUrge Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
While women’s urinary incontinence is popularly believed to affect mostly mature women, a recent study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine demonstrates that urine leakage can affect much younger women, as well.In fact, this new study shows that younger women affected by urinary incontinence are being forced to change the sports in which they participate, or give up sports altogether. The study focused on 679 Italian women, all of whom participated in non-competitive sports and were still having regular periods.

One in seven of the women surveyed (15%) indicated they suffered from urinary incontinence, and on average these women had been dealing with the symptoms for about 6 years. Of those affected:

– about half experienced symptoms during routine activities
– one-third had symptoms occur solely during sporting activities
– one-fifth claimed symptoms during both regular and sporting activities

Based on the study results, the riskiest sports for women, when it comes to urinary incontinence, are (in descending order): basketball, athletics, and tennis or squash. What’s more:

– 10% of the women surveyed gave up their favorite sport because of their urinary incontinence
– 20% of women surveyed changed or limited their sporting activity to prevent further urine leakage issues

Wow! Those statistics include a large number of young women who can longer be as active as they once were because of urine leakage problems.

What’s a Young Woman with Urinary Incontinence to Do?
Luckily, young women with urine leakage problems do have options and solutions. In younger women, urinary incontinence is most often the result of pelvic floor weakness. Strengthening these muscles by doing regular Kegels can make a big difference.

If you have been unable to participate in your favorite sporting event because of urine leakage accidents, consider doing Kegels as part of your rehabilitation program. Kegels tone and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which are the muscles that hold urine in the bladder until you are ready to urinate.

If you have never done Kegels, or you have done Kegels but feel they are not effective for you, you may want to download our ebook “What’s Up Down There?” This ebook not only helps you determine the strength of your pelvic floor muscles, but also walks you through how to do a correct pelvic floor contraction (Kegel). Many women do Kegels, but incorrectly. This ebook helps you troubleshoot your Kegel contraction, and helps you do those contractions correctly. Kegels are both simple and effective once you learn to do them correctly.

Download the “What’s Up Down There?” ebook here

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Women’s Urinary Incontinence: Is This You?

by General
Is this you?You just had a baby and suddenly you can’t sneeze or step off a curb without peeing in your pants.

You used to leak a little urine now and then, but since you entered menopause you suddenly leak urine all the time.

You are under a lot of stress in your daily life, and now you often have to go before you can reach the bathroom.

You have a urine leakage problem, you don’t know why, and you need more information about your condition. You just don’t know where to get it. 

Does this sound like you?

If so, then don’t worry. Not only are you not alone, but you are also one of the many faces of women’s urinary incontinence. You are one of the millions of women who leak urine. If you haven’t sought help, you are either part of the 50% of women who never seek help or you might be part of the 66% of women who wait more than 6 years before seeking help. If you need information about your condition, you have come to the right place.

Discreet Online Help for Women’s Urinary Incontinence
Leaking urine is no fun, but luckily getting the information you need about your condition is simple. Getting discreet online information that will help you be your own best health advocate is easy. Just check out these great online resources:

The Types of Women’s Urinary Incontinence
What’s Up Down There Ebook
Some Facts About Women’s Urinary Incontinence
Discreet Online Resources for Women’s Urinary Incontinence
Sit or Squat: Online Directory of Bathrooms

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Ladies: If Sex Has Gone from Hot to Not, Strengthen Your Love Muscle

by Decreased Sexual SensationPelvic Floor WeaknessWomen's Healthcare
Every woman has a love muscle, believe it or not. Or, more accurately, women have a set of love muscles, called the pubococcygeus. And if sex is more “not” than “hot” for you, chances are good that your love muscles “down there” need a workout. This workout has a name with which you are probably familiar:Kegels.

Also called pelvic floor muscle contractions, Kegels help you strengthen your muscles down below. Believe it or not, a lot of women would benefit from a regular Kegel workout.

Sex and Statistics: What You May Not Know
Here’s what you may not know about sex and statistics: a lot of women could be having a lot more fun in the bedroom than they do. Consider this:

– About 10% of women have never experienced an orgasm (WebMD)
– Only 30% of women achieve orgasm through intercourse (The Medical Center for Female Sexuality)
– Among British women, 46% never or rarely achieve orgasm (Fox Business)

Here’s what else you might want to know:

The Journal of the American Medical Association reported in 1999 that 43% of American women experienced sexual difficulties, with one-third of the women reporting lack of interest or desire for sex. Another one-fourth of women did not experience orgasm during sex, and one-fifth did not find sex pleasurable.

Pretty unbelievable, right?

What You Can Do about Decreased Sexual Sensation
Luckily, women who experience decreased sexual sensation or lack of orgasm can improve their sexual experience by exercising their pelvic floor muscles by doing a variety of Kegel-type exercises.

To find out whether pelvic floor exercises will help you out, check out our free ebook. The ebook not only offers two simple tests that help you assess the tone of your pelvic floor muscles, but also gives you detailed instructions on how to do a correct pelvic floor contraction.

Check out the ebook here and enjoy!

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Medications for Overactive Bladder or Urge Urinary Incontinence

by General Urinary IncontinenceMixed Urinary IncontinenceStress Urinary IncontinenceUrge Urinary IncontinenceUrinary Incontinence
If you are a woman and you leak urine then you suffer from women’s urinary incontinence. The question is, do you know which kind you have? There are actually three kinds of women’s urinary incontinence:
If you leak urine when you sneeze, step off a curb, or pick up a heavy object, then you most likely have SUI. If the sound of running water causes you to leak urine, or you simply leak involuntarily at odd moments, then you probably have UUI. If you have both kinds of symptoms, then you probably suffer from MUI.The good news for women who leak urine is that there are many treatment options. In this article, we cover the different kinds of medications used to treat overactive bladder, also known as UUI.

Which Type of Medication Should You Take?
Choosing the right medication for your overactive bladder or urge urinary incontinence should be a joint effort between you and your doctor. Not all medications work for all women with UUI, so it may take a little trial and error before you find the right medication for your symptoms.

There are two types of medications that treat OAB or UUI: short-acting and long-acting. If you simply need a little help to get through the Sunday church service without leaking urine, then you may want to take medication that acts in the short term-for 3 to 4 hours. This kind of medicine will work for you if you can manage your urine leakage most of the time, but want to prevent urine leakage during a special event.

On the other hand, if urine leakage is a more chronic problem and you need help all the time, then you need a more long-acting form of medication. You take this type of medicine once or twice a day, and the effect lasts 12 to 24 hours.

Long and Short-Acting Medications for OAB or UUI
Many medications come in both short-acting and long-acting forms. For example, tolterodine, commercially known as Detrol or Detrol LA, comes in both short and long acting forms. The same goes for oxybitynin, which comes in tablet, patch, and gel form.

As you can see, there are many choices of medicine for OAB or UUI. Whether you choose a medicine that has short-acting or long-acting effects is a decision that you should make with your doctor. Other factors to consider include the side effects of each kind of medication. For instance, the class of medication called anticholinergics can cause dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness, or confusion. This type of medication is also contraindicated for people who have glaucoma.

Along with possible side effects, other factors to consider when choosing your medication include price, effectiveness, and length of time before the benefits are realized. Many short-acting medications produce results right away, while long-acting medications can take between five and ten days to show benefit.

The point is that there are many medications available on the market approved by the FDA to treat overactive bladder or urge urinary incontinence. Medication can be a very effective conservative therapy for women’s urinary incontinence, and you shouldn’t give up hope if the first medication you try does not work for you. Keep consulting with your healthcare provider until you find a treatment that works for your UUI or OAB. Sometimes medication works best when combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation and other conservative therapies.

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Women’s Urinary Incontinence: Dealing with Medication Side Effects

by General Urinary IncontinenceWomen's Healthcare
If you are a woman dealing with urinary incontinence, then medication may be a very effective conservative therapy to help you prevent urine leakage accidents. Unfortunately, as you may have already discovered, many medications have side effects. These side effects can include dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, and nausea.Taking medication for women’s urinary incontinence is often a balancing act between the positive benefits of the medication and the negative side effects. The good news is that there are ways you can soften the impact of these side effects. This articles covers the most common and effective ways to do that.

Methods for Dealing with Medication Side Effects
Many medications for women’s urinary incontinence have a drying effect on the body, which causes the common side effects of dry eyes, dry mouth, and constipation. In addition, some medications cause nausea. To handle these side effects, many women have found the following strategies to be effective.

Dry Mouth
If you experience a dry mouth as a side effect of your medication, it may seem natural to load up on fluids. Unfortunately, this can worsen your urine leakage symptoms. Instead, to moisten your mouth you can chew gum, suck on lozenges and hard candy, or melt ice chips in your mouth. You can also try some artificial over-the-counter moisteners like Biotene. Check with your health care provider or pharmacist for these kinds of products.

Dry Eyes
There are many over-the-counter eye drops that can alleviate the itchiness and irritation of dry eyes. Artificial tears and any preservative-free moisturizing eye drops should work well. If you have glaucoma, be sure to let your healthcare provider know since some medications are contra-indicated for people with glaucoma.

Constipation
Changing your diet to include more fresh fruits, vegetables, and fiber can make a big difference in preventing constipation. Also, be sure you are drinking enough water, usually between four and nine cups of water per day. Drinking too little water can actually worsen urinary leakage symptoms (as can drinking too much water), and will definitely contribute to constipation. If you can’t get enough fiber in your diet, taking a fiber supplement/stool softener can also help. Common over-the-counter fiber supplements, such as Metamucil, Miralax, Konsyl, and Citrucel, work well. You might also want to consider our own home-remedy for regular bowel movements. Simply mix ¼ cup freshly ground flaxseed, ¼ cup aloe vera juice, and ½ cup apple juice. Drink immediately. Note that it’s very important to grind the flaxseed fresh each time.

Nausea
Although this side effect is less common than the three mentioned above, it can sometimes occur. To alleviate feelings of nausea, consider drinking mint or ginger tea, or taking ginger capsules. Exercise can also sometimes help.

We hope these tips help you balance any negative side effects of medications you are taking for women’s urinary incontinence. Medication is a proven conservative therapy for urine leakage, so don’t bypass its benefits. Just learn to manage the possible side effects!

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Women’s Urinary Incontinence: More Than One Cause

by Mixed Urinary IncontinenceStress Urinary IncontinenceUrge Urinary Incontinence
“Why am I leaking urine?” This is one of the most common questions asked by women who experience urinary leakage. The answer to this question is not as simple or straightforward as it might seem, since there can be multiple causes for this condition. If you are leaking urine, then you may be looking for more than one culprit.

Risk Factors for Women’s Urinary Incontinence
Unfortunately, women are twice as likely as men to suffer from urine leakage. Part of the reason for this statistic is that pregnancy and childbirth are major contributors to urinary incontinence. Childbirth, especially vaginal deliveries, can stretch and tear the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic region, weakening the pelvic floor muscles and causing urine leakage.

Other risk factors that can contribute to urinary incontinence include:

Weight Gain and Obesity:Every pound puts downward pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles

Aging:Muscles in the pelvic floor tend to sag, just like muscles everywhere else in the body

Smoking and Chronic Cough:Nicotine can irritate the bladder in some women while chronic coughing puts stress on the bladder, causing involuntary leakage

Menopause:Decreased levels of estrogen linked to menopause can lead to thinning of the urethral and vaginal walls, which in turn offer less support for the bladder

Medication:Certain classes of medicine, such as broncho-dilators and diuretics, can cause urine leakage

Urinary Tract Infections:Chronic infections in the bladder or urinary tract can eventually lead to urinary incontinence

Other causes include pelvic organ prolapse, dietary issues, and bladder stones. The key is to realize that more than one factor may be contributing to your urine leakage issues.

That’s why it is important to check with your healthcare provider as soon as you experience any symptoms of urinary incontinence. The earlier your doctor can diagnose your condition, the more easily your symptoms can be treated and cured. In addition, early detection means that conservative measures, such as physical therapy and lifestyle changes, are more effective.

Diseases That Contribute to Urinary Incontinence
In addition to the factors listed above, certain diseases can cause urinary incontinence. While this is more prevalent in the elderly or the ill, you are more likely to suffer urine leakage if you have or have had:

– Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease
– diabetes
– multiple sclerosis
– stroke
– pelvic floor or spinal cord injuries
– bladder cancer

As always, knowledge is power and the more knowledge you have about your condition the more you can contribute to your own health and well-being. To be your own best health advocate, especially when it comes to matters “down there,” take two important steps:

1. Contact your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and explore your treatment options.

2. Learn are much as you can about your condition. You may wish to learn more about the different types of urinary incontinence or read our no-cost ebook.

Good luck and remember that urinary incontinence is neither inevitable nor untreatable!

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