Incontinence In Women
LIVE 10:30 AM EST
On the Day of Publishing
HASHTAG: #AMCoffee
BE PART of #AMCoffee Conversations & Prizes
Grab a cup ‘o Joe and share what’s on your mind for an hour on this Wednesday, April 9.
REFRESH Your Screen Frequently To See and Follow Conversations!
Incontinence is one of the most unspoken, so to say, subjects when it comes to women’s conversations. Caused by stress, multiple pregnancies, obesity and overweight, and even by genetic predisposition, it is no fun to get those accidents during the most common activities like laughing, coughing or during your fitness class.
Overactive Bladder (OAB) is caused by urinary muscle spasms. Let’s see what can be done to improve quality of life with these conditions.
Scroll down to see all discussion points, learn and comment.
Keep Exploring!
AM COFFEE – Sign In!
• Comment and Say ‘Hello’ to all who will be here with you
AND
• We will be discussing Incontinence in women this morning. A very sensitive subject, like anything that we are! But bringing awareness to it, we allow ourselves and other women to pay attention to the changes our bodies are going through during our natural life cycle.
Happy Hump Day Ladies. I am already feeling overachieved. Got the kids to school and food shopping done and its only 830. woohoo. Off to work soon.Boohoo.
Good morning ladies!! I have suffered from this since the birth of my 1st son nearly 17 yrs ago and it has only gotten worse no matter how many kegals I do….laughing, coughing ,sneezing ,jumping on the trampoline all cause me to pee myself…..It is worse when I am pregnant. (like now so I’m super sensitive to it and my family love to make fun of me for it (meanies 😉 ).
good morning I am a suffer to I hate it
me too!! Quite embarassing
I can relate Jessica , Mine started after the birth of my daughter. She was born posterior and ever since I have had troubles. I know how mean family can be about it too . Not nice!
Its really not-they gang up on me and laugh so hard when it happens-Ive had days I actually run out of clean underwear during this pregnancy- my little one went out one day and announced to the bus stop “My mommy pees her pants ALL the Time” I was mortified!
Oh my goodness
Good Morning All! It is a beautiful day here in PA. The sun is finally shining!
Good morning!! 🙂
Good morning
Wow, my first time here, and such a sensitive subject!
Hello
Good Morning Ladies! Working on my third cup of coffee already today, sorting thru some paperwork, crafting some beadwork and watching some tv…….multi-tasking is my hobby!
I have foods that help with this problem, Coffee and corn are the first things I try.
Good Morning Everyone.. #AMCoffee I am so glad that the conversations are about things that most of us are too embarrassed or ashamed to talk about … Thanks for every thing you do…
Carmen,
That’s why we talk about it: bringing awareness, reminders, and solutions where it’s possible.
I am looking for sponsors who would be willing to add their sampling program to our conversations!
that would be great
Good morning to all. I love this subject. It happens to most woman.
Good morning, Ladies! It’s a beautiful day outside today.
Good morning all
good moring
2 Types of Incontinence
I. Stress incontinence occurs when you sneeze, cough, laugh, jog, or do other things that put pressure on your bladder. When these muscles can’t support your bladder properly, the bladder drops down and pushes against the vagina. You can’t tighten the muscles that close off the urethra. It is the most common type of bladder control problem in women.
CAUSES –>
– Childbirth
– Being Overweight or Obese
– Other conditions that stretch the pelvic floor muscles
II. Urge incontinence happens when you have a strong need to urinate but can’t reach the toilet in time. This can happen even when your bladder is holding only a small amount of urine. Some women may have no warning before they accidentally leak urine. Other women may leak urine when they drink water or when they hear or touch running water. Overactive bladder is a kind of urge incontinence.
But not everyone with overactive bladder leaks urine.
CAUSES –>
– May be caused by irritation of the bladder, emotional stress, or brain conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or stroke. Many times doctors don’t know what causes it.
Guess I am in the stress category. No one ever told me after kids you may not want to laugh or sneeze to hard without crossing your legs. lol. My husband use to laugh, kindly, about it. I just figured it would go away after my body healed from birth. well, not so much… its not a bad case but I am aware of it now. Now I just tell hubby don’t make me laugh to hard or I will have to pee.
I’m 99% sure childbirth caused the problem (I was not overweight and still quite young when the issue first arose) and multiple births after that just made it worse 😉
Good morning !
Mine too… I just keep hoping it will go away on its own…
Yeah but it doesn’t 🙁 Lol – now Im finding out its just gonna get worse as I age…not what I wanted to hear.
Hmmm….Where is everyone this morning??? Nobody wants to discuss how often they pee their pants ??? Lol
Great, you made me laugh now I peed
😀
LMAO and tinckled a lil
I always have to wear a pad because I have stress incontinence. It is awful!
Same here.
I only have a problem when I cough or have an unexpected sneeze! As long as my legs are crossed I’m fine though! 😉
I hear you Amanda I have the same problem and I hate it’
Wow that’s interesting! !
I occasionally have stress-urinary incontinence…..seems like when I’m stressed I instantly have to run to the bathroom. I have had a few minor accidents that I was able to hide, but it’s very embarrassing none-the-less!
I haven’t had many problems but my mom has. The doctors told her that tomatoes irate her bladder and cause a lot of problems.
I guess I have a little bit of both.. laughing, sneezing, coughing all causes it.. but then their are times that.. I literally have to run to the bathroom and barely make it.. I have had to start taking clothes in the car with me when I am going to be out all day because I am afraid of an accident..
wow never thought I would actually post all of that…
its ok Carmen we all have the same problem you just posted what some of us didn’t want to say I do the same thing
LOL Amazing what you will share when you aren’t face to face huh?! 🙂
I’d share it face to face if it arose but definitely not something I’d bring up in a convo-Lol
After 3 surgeries, I suffer from this.
I’m in the stress category. I’ve had 2 children and also have a back injury that is hindering the problem
I never knew that emotional stress had any part of it. Thats good to know. Mostly mine is alot of emotional , childbirth and alot being overweight too.
My aunt had to have surgery to fix hers
what kind did she have and how is she doing
I had went to therapy for this problem and believe me girls it works. With fibromyalgia this is common, is what I was told by therapist. My muscles were sleeping she said. Bad thing is when I have a flare-up I can not prevent it from happening 100% she also said. The therapy wakes your muscles up. You do more than just kegal exercises but that is what it is exercising the muscle in that area. The therapy I highly recommend for anyone before you get any surgery or meds. The therapist will do exam and tell you if you are a candidate for it.
nice to know
good to know
It is awesome. There were family friends asking me about it when I told them I was going. They were telling me they had same problem. Most woman don’t talk about it if they are younger.
AM COFFEE #2
Retweet, Repin, Shout-Out!
RETWEET #1
RETWEET #2
Retweet #3
Retweet #4
Repin #1
tweeted and pinned
Retweeted and pinned @buttmonkee8
Done!
Done!
Done
all done
retweeted!
All done, TY
Retweeted from @erdapd
You know have your own board lol
retweeted @dubuque_cynthia and repinned
Retweeted and Pinned 🙂
All done
Re-tweeted an pinned. @beclewis and RebeccaSwenor13
retweeted
tweeted all the tweets lol!
PLEASE NOTE that these are discussions and not supervised by a medical professional lectures!
If you have any medical problem – please see your Doctor!
These discussions are ONLY for bringing awareness in us, women, that we need to pay attention to our health and well-being.
MENAUPAUSE AND INCONTINENCE
During and after the process of menopause, levels of the female hormone estrogen drop significantly. In addition to controlling your monthly periods and body changes during pregnancy, estrogen helps keep the bladder and the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, healthy.
Lack of estrogen may also cause the pelvic muscles responsible for bladder control to weaken, resulting in urinary incontinence.
What Kind of Bladder Control Problems May Develop After Menopause?
Some of the bladder control problems which may develop because of menopause include:
– Stress incontinence. Pressure from coughing, sneezing, or lifting can push urine through the weakened muscle. This kind of leakage is called stress incontinence. It is one of the most common kinds of bladder control problems in older women.
– Urge incontinence. Urge incontinence is another very common bladder control problem. With this condition, the bladder muscles squeeze at the wrong time — or all the time — and cause leaks.
– Painful urination
– Nocturia. Need to get out of bed to urinate several times a night
So this is what I have to look forward to huh? Is there any way to prevent it? I am fast approaching the age of menopause and really don’t have enough information about it. Mama taught me about the birds and the bees and sent me on my way… heehee.
Thia,
Yes, you could improve the condition, especially with Kegel exercises. Read on it below!
I’m reading, now I gotta get started. Keels here we go,lol
Great !!So now I know its going to get worse and never better-LOL . I have done kegals for many many years-either they do not help much or I’m doing them wrong….the Lady doc says I have good muscles in there…so I don’t know how to fix this issue (but I hate it!!) My mom says it gets worse before it gets better. JOY! I wonder if genes play a role?
I never have to get out of bed to go to the bathroom during the night. It is during the day I have problems.
I’m nowhere near menopause so I’m blaming mine on my kids! Good to know it’s just going to get worse! 😛
same here lol! one baby and i’m up all night! and I plan for a few more… and then menopause. But I haven’t really done my kegels, so one more reason to motivate me….
I never really had a bladder problem during the night unless I drink coffee
that’s me I get up about 3 times or more at night to go I go almost evey half hour during the day every where I go I am looking for the rest room I am looking into the surgery to see if we can fix this problem any one have this procedure done
After having a hysterectomy at age of 37, my body went into menopause. I have stress incontinence.
I biggest shopping area is a hour away. I can never drink coffee before I go or I have to stop for the restroom first thing, So irritating.
I’m not at menopause yet, but this information is great to know for when I am.
Hmm Nocturia is a biggy with me. Its as if my bladder says DONT LAY DOWN!! Every time I get horizontal it happens..
I only seem to suffer from nocturia during preganancy-at least that one goes away when the baby comes for me
I did not know that all of this was actually a medical condition.. I wake up 3 – 4 times a night to go to the bathroom.. Its awful and exhausting…
After 4 kids, the last 2 being twins, I think I am lucky my stress incontinence isn’t worse, but I do get up up several times during the night which is really annoying
My mother had this problem for years probably from having 5 kids. Therapy is the way to go if you can. I am glad my Obgyn had mentioned it to me. I think I am going through the (pre-mental pause) is what I call it. Get the heat flashes etc. after I turned 40.
good to know
PLEASE NOTE that these are discussions and not supervised by a medical professional lectures!
If you have any medical problem – please see your Doctor!
These discussions are ONLY for bringing awareness in us, women, that we need to pay attention to our health and well-being.
What Treatments Are Available for Bladder Control Problems?
Thank you WebMd for providing this information!
Treatment depends on the kind of bladder control problem you have. Your doctor may recommend some of the following lifestyle changes:
– – Strengthening pelvic muscles with Kegel exercises. These exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. To do Kegel exercises, you squeeze and hold the pelvic muscles and then relax them. If you are unsure how to do Kegel exercises, ask your doctor for further instructions.
– Training the bladder to hold more urine
– Timed voiding
– Weight loss for obese women may result in improved bladder control.
If these simple treatments do not work, there are other options, including:
– Medication such as Detrol, Vesicare, Toviaz, Ditropan, Myrbetriq, or Oxytrol. Oxytrol for women can be bought over the counter.
– Botox, which can be injected into the bladder muscle causing it to relax, can be used in adults that do not respond to or cannot use the medications listed above.
– Biofeedback, which is a method of learning to voluntarily control certain body functions with the help of a special machine
– Electrical stimulation of pelvic muscles
– A device inserted in the vagina to hold up the bladder (pessary)
– A device inserted directly into the urethra to block leakage
– Surgery to lift a sagging bladder or urethra into a better position
I used to think Kegel exercises were kind of a silly thing. Now I am learning that there truly are great benefits to it. Has anyone here faithfully done these and what did you notice to be the difference.
I have and I still pee myself much too often (at least once a week not pregnant and pregnant 7-10 xs a day 🙁 – The lady doc told me I have strong muscles in there (which helps to push babies out fast )…but hasn’t done much for my incontinence (if it has -I’d hate to see how frequently I’d pee myself without them-LOL)
I would ask about the therapy. There is muscles in front and in the back of this area and sometimes the muscles are just a sleep.
I do Kegel exercises (at least when I remember) – did them throughout my pregnancies and I still have “leakage”! I’ve also only had one baby naturally (at 30 weeks) so I know the muscles aren’t stretched!
Wow that’s amazing never knew all thes we treatments
oy! I ‘m sitting here at the computer and starting the kegels as we speak… do not want to go past that…
Hmmmm…maybe Im gonna have to look into that surgery and electrical stimulation (even though that one kinda sounds like it might be painful-lol) I also didn’t know there were so many treatments outside of kegals. May also have to ask about medicine-especially if this issue doesn’t mostly go away after I have this baby
yes I to do the kegals to I have taken Ditropan, it worked for a while but then it was making me feel like my stomach was a rock so stopped taking it so I am looking for a surigacial procedure
I do the kegel exercises, it helps some.
Good information.
I’ve always done kegel exercises.. I like the idea of “timed voiding”… Yet another benefit of Botox!
I think I am going to go back to Kegels.. I stopped because it felt weird tightening my vagina lol.. and I may have to try some of the over the counter meds and see if that helps I would hate to have any kind of surgery
Great information for me right now, Im getting up there in age and all these things are things happening to me. I appreciate this discussion it is really informative and I will put these things in my email for future use. Have to email it due to memory loss. 🙂 Thanks all for your great suggestions
I do kegels when I can remember to…I just hope I don’t end up like my aunt who had to have surgery to correct hers
The therapy also includes training your bladder to hold more and the timing how long you are going. If I can find my papers from therapy I will post them for everyone. I have to search for them though.
wow i didnt know that
PLEASE NOTE that these are discussions and not supervised by a medical professional lectures!
If you have any medical problem – please see your Doctor!
These discussions are ONLY for bringing awareness in us, women, that we need to pay attention to our health and well-being.
Kegels Can Help Stress Incontinence
Information is taken from Louise Chang, MD
Strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor is crucial, experts agree.
One recommended way to do that is through Kegel exercises, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
INTRO INTO ANATOMY –> at the bottom of the pelvis, many muscle layers stretch between your legs, attaching to the pelvic bones at the front, back and sides. If you think of the muscles you would use to stop the flow of urine, those are the ones you will be targeting when doing your Kegels.
HOW-TO’S –> Pull in or squeeze the muscles, pretending you are trying to stop urine flow. You should hold that squeeze for about 10 seconds. Follow that by a 10-second rest. How many? Try three to four sets of 10 squeezes a day, recommends the AAFP.
I have done them once in a blue moon, then it just goes to the bottom of the list of things to remember to do each day. Maybe I will try to start up again. thanks for the incentive.
Well guess I’m just not doing enough of them! Will have to start trying to remember to do them daily instead of just weekly! 😉
Wow I gurss I got do those how tos thing
I think kegals do help but they definitely have not cured my problem. I was unaware there were several other treatment options (def gonna be talking with the “lady doc” )
yes but you forget till you hear someone tell you and then you do it till you forget its like taking a pill if you forget it it don’t work and I am bad with taking meds
exactly it’s not a matter of doing it – it’s easy – it’s just remembering to do it.. I should probably just do it every time I pee – that’ll cover more than 3-4 times.
Great information, thank you.
I think I’ll increase the frequency of my kegels
Awesome information.
I used to do kegels but maybe 4 or 5 at a time but it feels weird and so I stopped but know that I know it helps with incontenence I will start up again
Hard as heck sometimes to try to hold or stop that urge and flow….but I try to remember to do it throughout the day.
Sometimes that’s when/how I squeeze those kegals in-while I’m peeing (on the toilet-theres no stopping the incontinence!! Lol) I figure I’ll remember better that way
I do them when I can remember. .which isnt very often. Guess I need to make more of an effort
Have the picture of that anatomy was important for me before doing exercises because I focused just on them muscles. Also therapist had said a lot of people think they are using them muscles during exercises but really they are using bum muscles.
FOODS THAT AGGRAVATE INCONTINENCE
– Alcoholic Bevereges
They are dehydrating, meaning that amount of urine will be increasing and frequency of bathroom stops would go up as well.
– Coffee, Tea, Energy Drinks, Colas
Caffeine stimulates the bladder and acts as a diuretic, producing more urine.
– Citrus Fruits and Juices (acidic foods)
They can irritate the bladder. Cutting back on the amount could really help to control the bladder.
– Tomatoes (acidic food)
Tomatoes and tomato-based foods can trigger urge and increase leakage.
– Cranberries and Cranberry Juice (acidic food)
Great for bladder infection, right? But acidity can be trouble for those with overactive bladder.
– Spicy Foods
Chilies, salsas, wasabi and more can trigger leakage. But taking small amounts with less “fire” would be still welcome, as we do want taste in our diets.
– Sweeteners
Sugar and artificial sweeteners may trigger incontinence. Do some experimenting with drinks and foods and amounts you consume.
– Onions
Try cooking onions that may make them easier on your bladder.
– Banana, Grapes, Apples
You are the only one who can determine in what quantities such foods can trigger incontinence. But it is beneficial to know the triggers.
– Aged Cheese and Sour Cream
– Prunes
– Condiments like soy sause, vinegar, hot sause, ketchup mayonnaise could aggravate your condition.
– Processed Foods
So what CAN you eat! LOL This just took away most of my foods and drinks!
@Amanda that my reaction to what do you eat then
yes, exactly. plus other food restrictions we have for other reasons (be it weight loss or for me migraine headaches)… I find that the key to food restrictions is to find a good replacement, instead of just withholding. It does take lots of creativity… but when you want to eat one of those foods it helps. My grandfather – in – law was a big tea drinker, now he heats up a cup of soy milk instead…. that’s a start!!
That’s it, good food and diapers is the way I going.lol
Coffee is my biggest vice (I admit when I cut down on that I have less of an incontinence problem) but really a few processed foods and cheese are probably the only other things on this list I eat regularly so It all goes back to All those darn kids and my coffee 😀
Had to lol at that one. 🙂
Well I try stay away from alcohol, sodas, coffee. Our family is trying to eat healthier, no junk foods, processed foods or fast foods.
I’ll give all of it up except my coffee and tea.. I refuse to quit them lol
Yup -I cant give up my coffee but I go through periods where I “cut down” -lol
Everthing on the list was on my mothers info sheet from her doctor for aggrated bladder.
That list is pretty much all I eat.
That is everything that I eat especially spicy food, tomatoes, and onions are my favorite.. I would rather take meds than give up those foods lol
I am actually eating tacos right now that have all of that in them lol
You are funny, Carmen!
Oooohh….Lucky!!! What I’d give for a taco right now 😉
Geezz. .what can I eat…I consume a lot of these…
I think that in order to see if a food is good or bad for each of our own individual cases you may want to research the benefits and cons of every food on this list.. I would rather take meds than give up tomatoes that have been linked to have the benefits for your heart which with my family history is not good.. (this is just an example) Can the risk out weigh the benefits or can the benefits out weigh the risk..
Carmen,
I am with you. Each case is different. Thus tolerance for these foods would be different as well!
The benefits of all these yummies loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients may outweigh the negatives of incontinence.
You raise a very good point, Carmen 🙂 Thanks for thinking of that!
Good thing mine isn’t that bad
Blueberries are also good for flushing system if you don’t like cranberries. Drinking plenty of water will help with things that irritate the bladder too. Think about this when you drink coffee. You see what coffee does to cups,teeth etc while picture it sitting in bladder.
I do like my sodas..but I have been trying to cut back..
Good luck, all!
Good Morning!! #AMCOFFEE
my thoughts exactly!
Good morning, I know its 4-9 but yesterday going to work, I saw snowflakes.
Well darn you took away most of my favorite food and drinks what can you eat
Brianna,
If you do not have this condition – you’re in the best spot ever!
What could be done though with the intake of these foods is rationing them and eating less spiced version of them as well.
But you gotta celebrate your health!
Replace it! replace it, everyone! you can’t cut things out of your diet without replacing them – it will most likely not work – you’ll feel like you’re missing! drink herbal teas or warm milk, drink virgin drinks, or minimal amounts of apple juice (dilute it) instead of coke – it’s much healthier! Eat as unprocessed as you can – in any case it’s healthier. find the foods that DO work for you and stick to those – with a STRICT diet due to migraines (the list is at least 4x as long as this) that was the only way I was able to stick to it and it’s life changing. Don’t focus on what you can’t eat – focus on what you CAN!! that’s the key!
Menu,
AGREE with your words of wisdom, GRL!
That’s why we have you here!
Oh I need you yo move I and keep me on the straight and narrow! I have no will power
we are all here to help each other out and get such great input from these conversation thank you all for doing this so much great advice that we forget about till some one says something then we remember so thanks
GoodMorning Everyone having a great morning I hope 🙂
Good morning, everyone!
Good Morning all 🙂
Here is something I just looked up about some treatments for incontinence.
#AMCoffee
Good Luck Everyone!!!!
Congrats, Julie and Barbara! Not sure who Menu is, but congrats to you too!
that’s me. full name menucha but I get lazy typing it in… thanks!
Congrats to all winners. 🙂
WTG Julie , Barbara and Menu 😀 Congratulations
Hard to choose just 1 because I have 2 Grand daughters 🙂
Thanks so very much…..Hard to choose they are all so cute but I will make sure I choose an send you a message soon.
oh, and how’d you know my one and only is a boy?? lol
Menu,
I know my Audience!
Congratulations winners
congrats winners, your kids are going to be sooo happy!
Check These Amazing Giveaways on Celebrate Woman Today!
• SOY CANDLES!
• COACH HANDBAG
• HoeRight SteamMachine
• MANUKA Honey Prize Pack
• $60 HomeDepot or PayPal Cash