Bladder leakage is
 really common, affecting 
1 in 3 women.

You are not alone
Book A Bladder Health Consultation
Bladder leakage is
 really common, affecting 
1 in 3 women.

You are not alone
Book A Bladder Health Consultation
Bladder Leakage
Symptoms often begin after childbirth, when the pelvic floor is stretched or damaged. Left untreated bladder leakage can worsen, affecting many areas of a woman’s life. Research shows that women who have incontinence are more likely to struggle with other health issues including sexual health, depression and weight gain as not able to exercise. 
Bladder leakage might be common, but it’s not normal. It doesn’t have to be this way. There’s a lot we can do to treat bladder leaks! With the right know-how, the anxious and uncomfortable feelings can be eliminated. So, if you’re looking to get bladder control back, here is a quick guide of everything that you might want to know!
What actually is bladder leakage?

Bladder leakage means that you pass urine when you don’t mean to. It can range from a small dribble now and then, to large floods of urine. The medical term for bladder leakage is ‘urinary incontinence’ but most women don’t use the word ‘incontinence’, preferring instead to talk about bladder leakage.

Leaks may be occasional or frequent depending on the severity and type of the condition. The most likely cause of bladder leakage in women is Pelvic Floor muscle weakness.
Solution Is Now Available

Types of bladder leakage:
There are several types of bladder leakage, including:

Stress incontinence

SUI happens when urine leaks out while doing an activity such as lifting, laughing, or coughing. When laughing, you naturally increase the pressure put on the abdomen, which also puts strain on the bladder. This type of bladder leakage is common for middle aged and those that have had a vaginal birth. The weakened pelvic floor muscles makes it difficult to hold in urine.
Urge incontinence
 
UUI this occurs when you have a strong urge to urinate even when your bladder is not full. The urge to urinate comes about suddenly and sometimes includes the loss of urine before one can reach the toilet. The cause of UUI is complex and addresses how the nervous system controls the bladder. Treatment often involves medication or stimulation to calm the bladder.

Mixed incontinence 

MI describes when a woman has both stress and urge incontinence symptoms.



Did you know?

Through no fault of their own, as many as 50% of women cannot do pelvic floor exercises correctly.

Women focus quite a bit of attention on improving muscle tone in the arms, legs, bottom and tummy, yet many neglect an equally important but invisible area – the Pelvic Floor muscles.

Your Pelvic Floor muscles can be hard to feel, without help training them can be very difficult. The good news is that like all muscles, the Pelvic Floor muscles can be strengthened through regular exercise – giving you better bladder control. These muscles also protect against prolapse and help to maintain good sexual function. Keeping them fit and healthy can also improve your sensation during sexual intercourse.

What is the Pelvic Floor?

All women (and men) have Pelvic Floor muscles. The Pelvic Floor is a set of muscles that sit like a hammock between your tailbone (coccyx) and pubic bone. Pelvic Floor muscles give us control over our bladder and bowel. They also support the pelvic organs and span the bottom of the pelvis.

Weakened Pelvic Floor muscles in women mean the internal organs are not fully supported which may lead to bladder leakage or symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse. Prolapse is when one or more of the pelvic organs (bladder, womb or bowel) press down against the vaginal wall.

What causes Pelvic Floor Weakness?

Pregnancy and Childbirth: 
changes in hormones and the weight of a growing baby can place a lot of additional pressure on the pelvic floor while pregnant. You may start to experience pelvic floor weakness as early as 12 weeks into the pregnancy. The trauma of childbirth whether by natural birth or caesarean section can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, leaving the neck of the bladder unsupported resulting in long term issues with urinary leaks. This is particularly true following births involving forceps delivery.
Menopause: 
hormonal changes such as drops in oestrogen can result in the pelvic floor muscles losing their tone and strength resulting in a lack of bladder control.
Obesity: 
excessive weight in the abdominal region can lead to increased bladder pressure, resulting in pelvic floor weakness, and in turn, bladder weakness.
High impact exercise: 
high-intensity exercise like running, gymnastics, horse riding and CrossFit can lead to a weakening of the connective tissue that supports the bladder due to constant and repetitive pressure when undertaking such activities.
Why exercise your Pelvic Floor?
Women focus quite a bit of attention on improving muscle tone in the arms, legs, bottom and tummy, yet many neglect an equally important but invisible area – the Pelvic Floor muscles.

Your Pelvic Floor muscles can be hard to feel, without help training them can be very difficult. 
The good news is that like all muscles, the Pelvic Floor muscles can be strengthened through regular exercise – giving you better bladder control. These muscles also protect against prolapse and help to maintain good sexual function. Keeping them fit and healthy can also improve your sensation during sexual intercourse.

Symptoms of pelvic floor weakness:

Symptoms of pelvic floor weakness:
You may be experiencing pelvic floor weakness if:
• You accidentally leak urine (and quite often)
• You struggle to make it to the loo in time
• You've got pain in the pelvic area
• Reduced feeling or sensation during sex
• Accidentally passing wind
How to strengthen the pelvic floor:
 
The great news is that pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened and restored. By strengthening the pelvic floor you can tackle the root cause of the issue rather than just managing the symptoms. Many people choose to manage the symptoms of bladder leakage by using absorbent pads and pants, however, these are costly over a lifetime, uncomfortable and do nothing to solve the problem.

Treatment Options:

• Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises.
• Biofeedback. 
• Kegel weights. 
• Vaginal stimulation. 
• Pessaries. 
• Surgery. 
Read more

Do you want to restore your pelvic floor?

Book your free consultation today with our bladder health expert Louise and take the first step towards an improved quality of life.
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