Why/ how do bladders get weaker with age?

[TERFCat]

When I was younger, I could go hours without a wee.

These days, I'm fatter, yet I can barely last an hour without feeling the need to go!

Has my bladder got smaller?

Any tips on how to make it work better?

@tomorrowisanotherdate please see my first post above, I meant to tag you.

This is a thread that I really needed to read. Thank you.

Oh and one other piece of knowledge that I was grateful for, for those with urinary leakage... After going for a wee, when still seated, lean forward for a few moments to ensure the urethra (tube that leaves the bladder) is completely drained each time.

And watch out for the colour of your urine. If cloudy, you could be suffering from low level UTI's (more common for those in perimenopause) which is another reason why drinking lots of water all the time to flush them out is a good idea.

I counted myself as pretty biologically aware, but I had managed to get to my 40's and most of this information was complete news to me.

@Becauseurworthit absolutely agree.

I've got a degree from a good university and consider myself intelligent and well read around health. I eat a varied, plant heavy diet.

Yet I had never been told not to push my wee out and to let it come out naturally.
Never been told how to manage my bladder.

I drink masses anyway so constipation or UTIs weren't an issue and though I had atrophy, I didn't know because we use condoms which are already lubricated. So I could have had atrophy for 10yrs and not had any idea.

Never occurred to me to be aware of changes in my vagina which would have indicated my prolapse whilst I still could have done something about it. I just assumed everyone had a vagina like that after giving birth. Now it's too late and surgery is my only option.

Ladies, do your kegels. Check your vulva with a mirror. Check the inside of your vagina. Drink lots of water.

There was a thread yesterday about looking after your legs. I'd say your pelvic floor is more important for stability and comfort.

What are the side effects,if any, with the oestrogen cream?

Oh and yes yes to waiting for that last dribble of wee. I need to blow out slowly through pursed lips at that point for everything to fully relax at that stage.

Some people say it can tingle a bit when you first start to use it.
Otherwise, nothing.

I'm using loads of it at the moment and its fantastic.

Had a bit of cramping the first two times I used it. Never had it since. Think it was the estrogen receptors “waking up”. Truly, it’s like a miracle x

@DaBlackCatsAreDaBestCats I started using mine at the same time as HRT, so I wouldn't have noticed, alongside my uterus dancing at the sudden influx of oestrogen and my breasts throbbing from the progesterone 😂

I have really sensitive vulval skin I don’t use scented laundry detergent etc or soap and I didn’t have any issues with the oestrogen cream. When I was initially prescribed oestrogen pessaries (Vagifem) and doctor told me to use one every night for two weeks I suddenly became very interested in sex and previous to this I had lost my sex drive. My husband was surprised but pleased !

I've had a sensitive bladder and urge incontinence for about 20 years. I am now on HRT and use Vagifem pessaries, I do pelvic floor exercises, don't drink caffeine, alcohol, squashes, fruit juice or fizzy drinks. I've been seeing the continence clinic for about 2 years and followed all the advice, but still can't go for more than a couple of hours maybe, without peeing. I can hold on for a bit but then will leak.
It makes me want to cry. I fucking hate it.

@MagpiePi have you tried finding a lovely private physio, they might be able to help?

I had been doing kegels all wrong and it's taken a year of sessions with the physio to get somewhere with them.

Also she let's me moan and her room is heavenly and warm and she just makes me feel good after I've seen her.

@MagpiePi I am so sorry, that is truly awful for you, you have my deepest sympathy.

I absolutely hated it and got very low. 'By the grace of God go I' - this may happen to me in time as I must have a weakness, but I absolutely accept it must be so awful for those who have more serious issues and have tried everything including HRT etc. I am so sorry this has blighted your life, especially at such an early age. Until it happened to me, I just did not comprehend how difficult it is and how painful it can also be. Surgery does seem hit and miss, but I so hope someone can help you somewhere. Do keep asking, because you shouldn't have to live with it.

I think mine may simply have been due to a very heavy & overdue baby and then very half-hearted kegals. I was fortunate that all my births were relatively straight forward.

My heart goes out to all those coping with incontinence and I do realise that I am fortunate that the most obvious things to fix it, actually did fix it for me. It's just they really weren't all that obvious to me! - I sort of tried kegals, but wasn't doing it right etc so I put up with several years of the problem getting worse and worse before I went to the Incontinence Clinic and googled the life out of the issue.

I regard my improved pelvic floor as an absolute miracle for which I am grateful everytime I go for a walk, everytime I take a Yoga class (I do credit Yoga for reaching somewhere in my pelvic floor that my attempt at kegals does not entirely reach. It took me over a year to have the core strength to do a jump back into plank and back etc and that sort of coincided with almost total dry confidence. I totally accept it won't fix a more serious issues, but I do recommend it for general well being regardless).

I guess I am posting for those women who have yet to try all those things, to take heart that they can actually work for the most common weakness at least.

Has anyone used estriol cream instead of ovestin? My gp has prescribed this instead buy I read the concentration is 10x lower so I am worried that it might not do anything.

@Thegreatgiginthesky Hi. My repeat prescription for Ovestin actually says estriol. The GP receptionist told me that if you specifically want Ovestin you can tell the chemist that when you collect your prescription.

Thanks @Droolylabradors and @Becauseurworthit

The physio I’m seeing is really good. She has checked I am doing kegels correctly and I have improved my muscle tone but it now feels like I’ve plateaued and all the exercises and vagifem are just maintaining things. We’ve also talked a lot about the physiology and psychology of incontinence, and been through lots of options to improve things further.

I’m waiting for an appointment with the genito-urinary clinic and am hoping they can investigate in more depth and maybe help.

It’s just so mentally tiring and embarrassing and inconvenient.

A women's health specialist/physio can teach you exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. And I think there's an NHS app to remind you to do them. My local Pilates teacher runs online classes, which I will recommend if you want to PM me.

Interesting I'm 50 and menopausal and I'm needing to wee much more frequently I did assume it was something to do with the menopause but not sure what
All my friends of a similar age are the same.

Jesus! I’ve had three before I’ve left for work in the morning!

Thanks, but the NHS physio has checked and I am doing the exercises properly and I have the NHS app.

What kind of additional exercises does Pilates offer?

Unfortunately I’m not in a position to afford additional exercise classes.

That's all wonderful @MagpiePi I am glad it's helping.

My teacher runs a six week course for older ladies via Zoom on pelvic floor health, including lots of breathwork, and many people I know have found it useful including several well past meno.

It's not part of the Pilates course, although lots of the muscle control techniques affect the pelvic floor.

Also if you google 'YouTube Yoga pelvic floor' or 'YouTube Pilates pelvic floor' there are lots of free videos sessions.

I found Dr Bri on YouTube and will try the exercises. It can’t make things worse!

Thanks all for the suggestions and support.