Menopause and Bladder Control

As you go through menopause it may become harder to control your bladder. It’s a common problem, but it can be helped.

Why does menopause affect your bladder?

Your overall hormone production declines and your ovaries stop making oestrogen at menopause, though continue to do so in the fat cells of the abdomen, belly and thighs. That, together with faster dropping progesterone levels, is initially how your bladder is affected at menopause.

Hormone imbalance is one reason, but another is that your vaginal tissue becomes less elastic.

• The lining of your urethra, the tube that empties urine from your bladder, begins to thin.
• Your pelvic floor, the group of muscles that supports both your urethra and bladder, weakens.

What bladder issues might you have?

Four problems are most common for women during and after menopause.

Stress incontinence is what you might notice first. You may lose a few drops of urine for the first time when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.

Or you might notice leaking when you’re lifting something heavy or doing something that puts pressure on your bladder.

Urge incontinence happens when the need to pee comes on fast and unexpectedly. You might not make it to a bathroom in time.

This is sometimes called a sensitive or very active bladder.

Nocturia is when you wake up several times in the middle of the night with a strong need to pee.

Painful urination can happen because you get more urinary tract infections after menopause. They can cause a burning feeling while peeing.

What else can cause leakage?

Menopause is not always the reason why your bladder behaves differently. Your muscles may have naturally weakened as you age, or you could have had injuries from childbirth.

Conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis can damage your nerves, which can also lead to bladder issues.

Certain medications can also be a cause. Some antidepressants and pain relievers can prevent your bladder from emptying completely.

If this might be the reason, your doctor can adjust your medication or dosage.

Here are five ways to help yourself

What works will depend on your type of incontinence, but small changes may help you gain better control of your bladder.

1. Strengthen your pelvic floor with Kegel exercises. These exercises involve tightening and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles repeatedly for a few seconds.

You can learn how to do them by trying to stop your urine flow, but don’t do this too often and avoid doing it while you are actually urinating, as it could lead to an infection.

You will find plenty of helpful instruction and videos on the Internet Internet and best to try to do three sets of 10 Kegel exercises each day.

2. Be mindful of what you drink. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcoholic and even water can make your bladder fill quickly and lead to leaks.

While it’s important to drink enough water, still water (not sparkling) is a better choice.

Carbonated fizzy drinks, can irritate a sensitive bladder and make overactive bladder symptoms worse by causing more spasms and the urge to urinate frequently.

3. Reduce your liquid intake later in the day, especially if you often wake up at night to go to the bathroom.

Try to limit drinks during the evening, especially stimulants like coffee and alcohol, which can affect your bladder. Too much water can also cause problems, so it is best to stop drinking any liquids 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

This gives your body time to process the liquids and ensures you empty your bladder before going to sleep, but make sure to drink enough fluids during the day to prevent dehydration.

4. Maintain a healthy weight because extra weight puts more pressure on your bladder.

Carrying extra pounds can cause bladder problems like incontinence because it increases pressure on your bladder and pelvic floor muscles. This pressure can weaken these muscles, leading to leakage during normal activities like coughing or sneezing.

Losing weight can greatly improve these symptoms by reducing the pressure.

5. Schedule your trips to the bathroom because going on a regular schedule, such as every hour, can help you regain control of your bladder muscles.

As you see improvements, try to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits.

How is it treated?

Your doctor may suggest several treatment options, including antispasmodic medications, vaginal oestrogen tablets, a ring or pessary.

If other treatments do not work, your doctor might recommend surgery to lift your bladder or support your urethra. This treatment is most effective for stress incontinence, but it may not help if you have an overactive bladder.

Helpful information

The main reason women have bladder problems during menopause can be that they experience more vaginal and urinary tract infections.

When progesterone returns to normal amounts, and hormones are balanced again, vaginal moisture comes back. This makes urinary tract infections less likely.

So Serenity can help, but if there is also low oestrogen then a combination cream such as Twenty to One, with both progesterone and two natural oestrogens, may be better.

Also, you may not be aware of how important your food choices are for bladder problems.

This article will be useful in guiding to better options.

https://blog.wellsprings-health.com/food-and-drink-to-help-an-overactive-bladder/