Before you just accept that a little bit is going to leak out every time your hilarious boyfriend cracks another one-liner or when you finally work up to that advanced core training class or if you happen to have a dreaded allergy sneeze attack on the first day you've broken out your white pants, know that it's pretty common for women to experience incontinence at some point or another. However, identifying why and when exactly you're having some trouble holding it in might also help you (perhaps with your doctor's input) identify how to halt the leaking. Here are some of the big reasons women experience bladder leaks.Your pelvic floor muscles are weak. You've been spending so much time sculpting your booty and trying to get obliques that rival Pink's, it may have never occurred to you that you have to keep your pelvic floor in shape, too. Kegels will help strengthen those muscles. If the situation is more dire for you, your doctor can help you explore other options like surgery, devices, and medication that may support better bladder health for you.
You're a female athlete. Some women athletes experience bladder leaks when they're doing hardcore exercises. Olympians Bonnie Blair and Mary Lou Retton are among many women who are very physically fit and have struggled with incontinence (they're just braver for voicing it than many of us). To help prevent leaks when you're pushing through the 24th mile of a marathon or doing what feels like your 500th squat, be sure to add Kegels to your fitness routine.
You're having sex. Here's a shocker -- young women are more likely to have bladder leaks during sex than older women. You certainly don't want to put a halt on the romance or develop any embarrassment or self-consciousness that could interrupt living in your full sensual glory, so investing some time in (yes, we'll say it again) Kegel exercises and research on how to get control of those leaks will certainly be worth it.
You're pregnant or just had a baby. While you're pregnant and giving birth, your pelvic muscles stretch out and can become weakened. This can cause the bladder to sag and the urethra to stretch, setting the stage for bladder leaks. You can also experience a temporary overactive bladder, complete with uncontrollable spasms and the urgent need to urinate. It's most irritating when you can barely see over your belly to check out what's going on down there and when you're sore, exhausted, and overwhelmed from expelling a child from your body. Check in with your doctor to make sure your pregnancy and post-partum bladder leaks are in the normal range. Kegels will help tighten those muscles back up, help you feel more in control of your southern half, and maybe even get you back to a place where you (bonus) want to be intimate with your partner again.
You have an infection. If you've ever suffered through a few days with a urinary tract infection (is there any lucky soul who has somehow avoided this misery?), you know it makes peeing is a real problem. Although it might seem strange since UTIs often trigger the urge to urinate without actually being able to, these infections can irritate the bladder nerves and also cause leaking. Fortunately, it all should clear up once the antibiotics kick in. Drinking lots of water also helps the whole situation.
You've had an illness or injury that interferes with bladder function. Some medical conditions can interrupt signals between the brain and the bladder or cause spasms in the bladder. People with multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or Parkinson's, or who've experienced a stroke, herniated discs, or pelvic or back surgery may have nerve damage that can result in bladder leaks. People who have kidney or bladder stones, or who have a tumor that either irritates the lining of the bladder or puts pressure on the bladder may also experience incontinence. If you take blood pressure medication, antidepressants, or prescription sleep aids, these pills may contribute to bladder leaks. Speak with your doctor or specialist about how to address this issue.
You're in menopause. Some research says that about half of all older women experience bladder leak issues. The drop in estrogen, which helps keep the bladder and urethra working properly, contributes to incontinence at this time in a woman's life.
You're carrying extra weight. The pressure of extra weight on the bladder can cause what's called "stress incontinence" so that urine leaks more easily when you laugh, sneeze, cough, or are exercising. The stronger your pelvic muscles, the better they will support the bladder and prevent leaks.
You're consuming a lot of alcohol, caffeine, diet pills, or cigarettes. Caffeinated beverages and water pills or other diuretics can trigger the bladder to fill quickly, which can cause leakage. Alcohol can dull bladder nerves that help our brains know it is time to head to the loo, as can some medications. If you have some incontinence issues already, the chronic cough some smokers experience will only make that problem worse. Talk to your doc about the medications you're taking and if your coffee, soda, smoking or drinking habits are interfering with your health.
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