Ugghh....Bladder Leakage

I do not have any suggestions only to offer some moral support, I will be 36 this year, I have a nearly 3 yr old, a 9 yr old and a 14 yr old and I have the same problem...My kids no longer give me crazy looks when I cross my legs when I sneeze...I wear pantyliners all month long and it isn't fun, but I think it is just part of being a mom, it definitely gets worse the more pregnancies you have. Try not to feel embaressed about it though, most women have this problem but don't talk about it.
B.

What you are describing sounds like a pelvic floor muscle weakness issue. When you are on your period the hormone changes affect your muscles down there and they can become less effective at holding back the flow of urine. You should definitely talk to you doctor about this issue. Pelvic floor physical therapy may be the answer that you are looking for to help teach you to better contract your pelvic floor muscles and control your bladder. To see a physical therapist you need a doctor's referral. For more information about your symptoms and how physical therapy may help, you can check out our website at www.legacytherapystl.com and click on the how we help button. I am the physical therapist there, and I would be happy to try to answer any other questions you may be having. Whatever you do, don't just do nothing! This is not normal and there are things you can be doing to try to correct the problem.

Oh, this is SO common.

I learned to get over my embarrassment about it really quickly in talking with friends, coworkers, etc and found out how really common it is.

Kegels are really important - especially as you get older and muscles relax, gravity takes its toll, etc. Basically, the best way to explain them is to flex those muscles as if you're trying to stop urinating mid stream. Hold the muscles for ~10 seconds, release, and do it again.

You can go to a physical therapist to work on it, too. I've personally not been ready or willing to go down that road yet, but who knows in the future.

I bet 9/10 women who read this have been through the same thing but vew will be willing to admit to it openly.

Good luck. It does get a little better with time.

You poor thing! I remember being so embarrassed over this same issue. My two older sister's got me over that! Now we laugh about it....which makes it worse :)
DanaW hit it SPOT ON! The only thing I cared to add was that my Dr told me to actually stop peeing midstream in addition to the Kegels. I couldn't do it... I think I was already past that point. I ended up having a little procedure to have my bladder reinforced. (think of it like a hammock on your bladder.) FYI it does NOT relieve the sense of urgency but it has helped tremendously with leakage. Best of luck to you...

I have had the same issues. It is really embarrassing. You should talk to your doctor. There are some options. My mother, who had the same issue used a ring that she would insert that would put pressure on the urethra, helping to stop any leakage and there is also surgery to help tighten the connective tissue in that area. I have never done the kegel exercises but I am sure that your OBGY could offer more information on that area. Good Luck.

Talk to your doctor - that's what they're there for, it's kinda their job. :)

Definitely, talk with your doctor/OBGYN about it. Mine gave me a little booklet that had some useful information in it. Kegels help, so keep doing them! If I am able to stop while urinating, I do not have leaks. If you cannot, it means you need more Kegels. If the problem is more serious and even Kegels don't help, there are other procedures to help you, so talk with your doctor!

You might have to get the bladder hammock procedure done my mother and sister in law have had it done.

Kegels are easy. You just tighten the muscles as though you're trying to stop the urine flow when you're on the toilet. Of course, you can do this while you really are on the toilet, or at any other time.

I also can tell you about a nutritional product that will help strengthen your muscles. A friend of mine is even getting help with a prolapsed uterus by using it. Her doctor is no longer telling her she has to have a hysterectomy. Let me know if you want that information.

well this is the biggest complaint after having kids besides having issues of UTI's.Kegels is squeezing your pelvic floor muscles next time you pee stop it those muscles that your working help with bladder leakage they get sronger well suppose to over time but with me after 3 kids and very fast deliveries my bladder is a wreck i'm seeing my Ob this Thursday to see what the heck she can do about it i'm 30 yrs old surgery isn't suppose to happen till after menopause but in my case i'm 20 lbs over weight had babies that were under 9 lbs and quick deliveries weak pelvic floor I also suffer from intercystal cystitus an irration of the bladder also happend after delivery.All you need to do is make a call to your OB I did i'm seeing someone in the office whos speciality is fertility,urology and OBGYN.This can either be surgery or some other exercises I don't know but i'm sure there will be other testing done to rule out any further damage or something more serious.I highly suggest you get an appt. with your Dr