Have you ever laughed too hard, coughed too much, or simply tried to recapture your youth by jumping on the trampoline with the kids and started leaking like a broken tap. It’s called urinary incontinence and it’s common! Urinary incontinence is often associated with childbirth, pregnancy, and menopause and can range in severity from just a small leak to complete loss of bladder control. Some women also experience the need to urgently or frequently go to the toilet. Almost one-third of women who have had children experience some form of incontinence, and while this makes it common it is never normal. Bladder control problems can affect people of all ages, gender, cultures and backgrounds and should not be considered a normal part of the ageing process.
How do you know if your bladder or toilet habits are normal?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions there is a good chance that they are not and you should seek some advice on how to improve them.
- Do you leak urine when you cough, sneeze, lift or exercise?
- Do you pass urine frequently?
- Do you have to run to the toilet or experience urgency?
- Do you feel that you cant completely empty your bladder?
- Do you have a poor or slow flow of urine?
- Do you have to strain to empty your bladder?
There are many things you can do to improve if not cure urinary incontinence, starting with understanding how to engage your pelvic floor, to performing correct pelvic floor exercises, and safe toileting posture.
If you would like any help in improving your urinary incontinence or would like to discuss this further please call 02 4655 5588 to find out how we can assist you further. Alternatively, you can book an appointment now with one of our Osteopaths.
For more information check out the Continence Foundation of Australia for some great information and resources.
