Learn all about the causes, symptoms and treatments.
Regardless of age, bladder weakness is more common than you might think and there are plenty of ways to manage the situation — no need to panic! Bladder weakness typically results in bladder leaks, otherwise known as urinary incontinence. It often manifests as a few drips and dribbles, but can also result in significant urine loss. Around *34% of adult women in the UK are affected by the condition and many of them are usually too afraid to talk about it.
But no matter your situation, you can still have a great quality of life with the right treatments, products, and lifestyle choices. Here’s everything you need to know about bladder weakness.
Bladder weakness is characterised by the involuntary loss of urine. However, the symptoms vary from person to person. To identify if you are experiencing bladder weakness, you should pay careful attention to the symptoms below:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be helpful to keep a bladder diary to track how many times you head to the toilet in a day and how much urine is produced. For convenience, you can simply take note of this on your mobile phone. The diary will assist healthcare providers to rule out any underlying medical conditions and suggest treatment options.
There are several conditions that bladder weakness could be a sign of. If you’re unsure of exactly why you’re experiencing bladder leaks, you can chat with your doctor or gynaecologist about some of the conditions listed below. All of them are potential causes of bladder leaks.
Each of the conditions that cause bladder leaks vary in seriousness and affect the body in different ways. Although it can be tempting to search every corner of the internet to self-diagnose your loss of bladder control, rather consult a qualified health professional.
Bladder weakness is common in pregnancy as the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder. **More than a third of pregnant women experience bladder leaks in the second and third trimesters. Pregnancy also results in hormonal changes that relax the muscles in the pelvic area, potentially weakening the bladder. Many pregnant women report having bladder leaks after laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercising. In addition, postpartum bladder leaks and light incontinence are very common as the process of giving birth can further weaken the pelvic floor muscles, especially in the case of vaginal births.
We know that bladder leaks during and after pregnancy can be a frustrating experience. For some of us, it prompts feelings of shame, anxiety, and loss of control, especially if you leak unexpectedly in public. But realistically, light incontinence is so common that you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself. If you’re experiencing this, consider some quality pads and pantyliners.
Lil-Lets Maternity Pantyliners and pads are absorbent, soft and designed to easily attach to your underwear. Use them before and after childbirth to keep you feeling dry, comfortable and fresh, while you focus on this new and exciting time in your life.
The best treatment for bladder weakness varies depending on the individual and the underlying cause of their incontinence. For example, pelvic floor muscle exercises might be effective for light bladder leaks caused by stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, pregnancy incontinence or postpartum incontinence. ***Up to 50% of women experience pelvic floor and abdominal weakness after pregnancy.
It’s important to consult a healthcare professional for medical advice and to determine the best course of treatment. They’ll typically recommend a combination of treatments or refer you to a specialist for further evaluation. Urologists and physiotherapists are commonly involved in the management of bladder leaks. In the UK and Ireland, you can also visit Mummy MOTs — specialists in postnatal examinations and women’s health. They offer services such as a pelvic floor muscle assessment, an abdominal muscle exam, postural screenings and screenings for any bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction.
There are plenty of proven methods that help to control or stop bladder weakness. We recommend trying out a couple of them and seeing what works for you. You can start with easier lifestyle changes like cutting out caffeine. And if you find that you’re still dealing with bladder leaks, consult a doctor to learn more about medication and procedures that could help.
It may be tempting to manage bladder weakness by limiting your water consumption, but this is certainly not a good idea. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of hydrating fluids to maintain your bladder’s capacity and stay healthy.
Bladder control exercises, also known as pelvic floor exercises, are a great way to help strengthen the bladder muscles. As we know, general exercise is so important for physical and mental well-being, so why is this any different when it comes to your pelvic floor? Strengthening this part of your body can really improve any bladder weakness you may be experiencing! These exercises are easy to do and can be done in the privacy of your own home. Before getting started, make sure you've gone to the loo and you’re in some comfy workout clothing (even an oversized shirt and leggings will do).
These exercises work by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, helping to reduce the chances of bladder leaks. By doing these exercises regularly, you can improve your bladder control and reduce the frequency of leaking urine. There’s also the added bonus of improving your overall health and mobility through physical activity. You can take control of your bladder and your body in just a few weeks. After 4 to 6 weeks, you should start to notice improvements.
In a series of polls carried out by YouGov in 2018, it was discovered that ****a third of people believe that urinary incontinence only affects elderly women. But the reality is that it does occur amongst young adults too, typically in the form of light drips and dribbles. We simply need to create safe spaces to talk about bladder weakness more openly and ensure that people understand how to manage and treat the condition.
Another 2018 YouGov poll revealed that only ****10% of women had openly discussed their incontinence with a friend or family member. For us, the goal is to start the conversation and encourage others to do the same in their circles. This way, people will feel comfortable seeking out the products and treatments they need.
Long story short, bladder leaks are super common and can be manageable. You can still enjoy a wonderfully fulfilling life with the condition. But let's be real, no matter how much we prepare ourselves, sometimes our bladders just have a mind of their own. That’s why it helps to have your bladder weakness diagnosed by a healthcare professional and start an effective treatment programme to get you on the right track.
From pelvic floor exercises to cutting out alcohol, there are so many options to try. In the meantime, Lil-Lets has your back with our range of absorbent and comfortable Maternity Pads and Pantyliners which are ideal for the light bladder leaks that you may experience pre-birth and post-birth.
*https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/excellence-in-continence-care.pdf [Accessed: 1 February 2023]
**https://utswmed.org/medblog/leakage-incontinence-during-after-pregnancy [Accessed: 18 January 2023]
***https://www.themummymot.com/ [Accessed: 1 February 2023]
****https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/womens-incontinence-myths-stigma-b1868540.html [Accessed: 25 January 2023]
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can potentially help with bladder weakness. The tablets have oestrogen which can strengthen the bladder and urethral muscle tissues.
Your bladder might keep on leaking due to urinary incontinence. This refers to the involuntary release of urine which can be caused by stress, pregnancy, an overactive bladder and many other conditions.
Some common causes of bladder leakage include irritation, urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginal infections, pregnancy, constipation or vigorous exercise. But no matter the cause, you probably also have weak pelvic muscles that could be strengthened.
There are several ways to know if you have a leaking bladder. Some of the most noticeable signs include trouble passing urine, straining to urinate, or stopping and starting whilst urinating. The constant urge to urinate is another potential sign.
Light bladder leaks are the involuntary passing of a small amount of urine — usually drips and dribbles that can be absorbed by a pad or pantyliner.
Bladder leakage is a common sign of pregnancy, however, it by no means guarantees that you are pregnant. You will need to consult a doctor to determine if pregnancy is the cause of your bladder leaks.
Bladder leakage is incredibly normal during pregnancy and once you have given birth. The hormonal changes and pressure on the bladder during this time tend to weaken the bladder control muscles, causing urine leaks.
Bladder leakage typically feels like a small amount of warm fluid flowing out of the urethra. It can be compared to the feeling of spilling room-temperature water on the skin.
Kegel exercises can certainly help with bladder leakage as they effectively strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. However, you must be consistent to see results — Kegels aren’t a quick fix!
Bladder leakage can cause an odour if you don’t wear absorbent pads, pantyliners or underwear to lock in the fluid. Urine can also have a noticeable smell if the individual is dehydrated or has some sort of infection. Make sure you drink enough water and change your pads/liners often.
Bladder leakage can start at any age — it all depends on the cause. However, it’s more common among pregnant people and women over the age of 50.
It is possible for bladder leakage to be cured if you undergo the right treatments for your needs. For example, having a clear pelvic floor exercise plan. Or having an enlarged prostate gland removed in men.
In some cases, bladder leakage can cause a UTI (urinary tract infection) or increase the risk of bladder problems.
Bladder leakage has the potential to increase your chances of contracting a yeast infection. When you have a yeast infection, the skin feels itchy, red and raw. There is typically a rash present too.
