1. Bladder Problems Start With Age and Childbirth
Female urinary incontinence causes a person to urinate slightly when sneezing, coughing or laughing with gusto. Some sufferers also have a feeling of having to go all the time or losing some urine for no particular reason. Some women may also lose a few drops of urine during sexual activity. Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken the support structure and muscles that surround the bladder. If the bladder moves out of place, typically downward, the muscles that squeeze together do not work as well and you leak urine. Estrogen, which helps the bladder bounce back to its normal state, decreases naturally as we age and makes us more susceptible to bladder problems
2. Visit Your Doctor
Women often live with bladder control problems for years before seeking advice. Your doctor can examine you to find out if your bladder problem is mild or severe. Depending on the cause, your gynecologist or family doctor will treat you immediately or send you to a urologist. The doctor will want to know your symptoms and might ask you to keep a diary for a week. If your pelvic floor has weakened, a visit to the doctor can determine if the weakening has affected any other parts such as the bowels or reproductive organs. The bladder can commonly begin to protrude through the vaginal wall in women who have bladder problems, even in mild cases
3. Don't Just Live With it
Treatments to increase female bladder control will be based on severity and age. They can do surgery that lifts the bladder. The Doctor can insert a pessary, or ring, to reposition your bladder. They can also insert a sling but both the pessary and sling can cause urinary tract infections. Sometimes, they will repeat the surgery if the bladder loosens again.
4. Off to the Pharmacy
Several drugs help with bladder control. Estrogen supplementation replaces the natural hormones we lose with age. Anticholinergics block the chemical signal that trigger bladder contractions. Dry mouth, constipation and memory loss are side effects of anticholinergics. A doctor may prescribe Imipramine, an antidepressant, bladder control medicine that causes the muscle to relax while simultaneously contracting the neck portion of the bladder. It is best for nighttime bladder problems because it causes drowsiness.
5. Start Some Bladder Friendly Habits
Kegels, kegels and more kegels. Lie on the floor with your knees bent at shoulder width apart. Try to squeeze your vaginal muscles without tensing your buttocks, legs or abdominals. Gradually build up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds at a time. This will strengthen the muscles that surround the bladder and is effective for women of any age. Also, be careful how much you are lifting, especially if you have had surgery. The bladder naturally pushes down when you lift something heavy and can loosen. Eat fiber and drink lots of water to prevent constipation that can cause straining on the supportive muscles.
