How to cope with urinary incontinence and feel confident again?
How to cope with urinary incontinence and feel confident again?
Do you ever feel embarrassed or anxious when you leak urine unexpectedly? Do you avoid social activities or exercise because you are afraid of wetting yourself? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. Urinary incontinence, or the involuntary loss of urine, is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It can have a negative impact on your quality of life and self-esteem, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this article, I will share with you some information about urinary incontinence, some tips to improve it, and a product that can help you manage it better.
What is urinary incontinence and what causes it?
Urinary incontinence can be classified into different types, depending on the cause and the symptoms. The most common types are:
- Stress incontinence: This occurs when you leak urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exert pressure on your bladder. This is usually caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles, which can result from pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, obesity, or aging.
- Urge incontinence: This occurs when you have a sudden and strong urge to urinate, and you can’t make it to the toilet in time. This is usually caused by an overactive bladder, which can be triggered by infection, nerve damage, diabetes, or neurological disorders.
- Mixed incontinence: This occurs when you have both stress and urge incontinence symptoms.
- Overflow incontinence: This occurs when you dribble urine because your bladder doesn’t empty completely. This is usually caused by a blockage or a nerve problem that affects the bladder’s ability to contract.
According to the World Health Organization, about 200 million people suffer from some form of urinary incontinence. Women are more likely to experience it than men, especially after childbirth or menopause. However, men can also develop it due to prostate problems or surgery. Urinary incontinence can affect people of any age, but it becomes more common as you get older.
How can you improve your urinary incontinence?
The good news is that urinary incontinence is not a permanent condition, and there are many ways to treat it or reduce its severity. Depending on the type and the cause of your incontinence, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following options:
- Pelvic floor exercises: These are exercises that strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and urethra. They can help prevent or reduce stress incontinence and urge incontinence. You can do them anywhere and anytime, by contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds at a time. You should aim to do them at least three times a day for several weeks to see results.
- Bladder training: This is a technique that teaches you to control your bladder and reduce the frequency and urgency of urination. It involves setting a regular schedule for going to the toilet, and gradually increasing the time between each visit. You also learn to suppress the urge to urinate by using relaxation techniques or distraction methods. You should consult your doctor before starting bladder training, as it may not be suitable for everyone.
- Medication: There are some drugs that can help relax your bladder or tighten your urethral sphincter, depending on the type of your incontinence. They can reduce the leakage or the urge to urinate, but they may also have some side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, or drowsiness. You should always follow your doctor’s prescription and advice when taking medication for urinary incontinence.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be an option to correct the underlying cause of your incontinence. For example, if you have a prolapse (a condition where your pelvic organs drop out of place), you may need a surgery to lift them back into position. If you have a blockage or a nerve problem that affects your bladder function, you may need a surgery to remove it or repair it. Surgery is usually considered as a last resort when other treatments have failed or are not suitable for you.
How can period underwear help you cope with urinary incontinence?
While these treatments can help improve your urinary incontinence over time, they may not eliminate it completely. You may still experience some occasional leaks or accidents that can make you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. That’s why I want to introduce you to a product that can help you cope with urinary incontinence and feel confident again: period underwear.
Period underwear is a type of underwear that is specially designed for women who have periods or light to moderate urinary incontinence. It is made of breathable and absorbent materials that can prevent leaks and odors, and keep you dry and fresh all day long. It is also reusable and washable, which makes it eco-friendly and cost-effective.
One of the best brands of period underwear that I recommend is Beautikini. Beautikini