...to think I'm too young for Tena lady?!

[minnymoobear]

may be a bit TMI!!
I'm 40 and feel like a 4 month old lately...keep trying to get to the loo when I need to pee and last few weeks have peed in my pants while trying to get there :(
I wear panty liners and they get wet and even now take spare knickers to work just in case :0
Any advice on what I can do to stop it- or do I give in and use Tena instead of pantiliners?

Thanks in advance

Pelvic floor exercises.
Ten times a day. Do them when you are ironing, sitting in traffic, in a biring meeting, on MN. Just do them.

Also make an appointment to see a physio who specialises in this. And check out gussiegrips here on MN and on twitter. A very funny lady, a physio and she knows her pelvic floor.

Also cut down on coffee, alcohol and thongs like fizzy juice that can irritate the bladder. See if that helps.

You could also try an exercise aid like aquaflex (i think ?)

And also exercise on an exercise bike.

In the meantime. Yup Tena. But there is hope and it can get better

Not thongs!!! Things.
I have no idea if thongs have a effect either way

See your GP and get tested for an infection. If it comes back clear, get a referral to urology or your local incontinence clinic, you might have either or both routes available where you live. Some incontinence can be helped with medicine, some with exercise, some with surgery, depending on the type and severity.

Not all incontinence can be cured with exercises and it helps if someone (physio) can tell you if you're doing them right, so that you know you're getting the most possible benefit.

Not all incontinence can be cured with exercises

This is true but exercise is the first port of call and often all that is required. And it certainly can't hurt to give your pelvic floor a bit of a workout.

But yy to seeing a physio to get checked out and shown how to exercise properly.

Good luck OP. Hope you get it sorted. It certainly isn't somethimg that should just be accepted as part of aging for women. There are things that can be done.

I use Lelo Luna Beads to strengthen my pelvic floor. I have no issues with accidents at all. I'm in my late 30s and have had three kids. I got mine off Amazon, if you're interested.

I agree, just giving my own experience. For a couple of years after physio discharged me because the issue wasn't with my muscles, I wasn't referred on elsewhere and didn't realise there were any other options until I asked on MN, so I try to pay it forward now. I wouldn't want OP (or any lurkers) being stuck in my position unnecessarily. Good luck, OP.

Use the proper tools for the job, and have a word with someone who is medically qualified.

Sometimes things happen which you feel too young for: it's grim, but you have to do what you have to do.

It's a really common problem for over 40s who have had babies.
Yes do ask your GO for a specialist Physio referral.
Pilates can also help. And lose some weight if you need to.
Good luck. Don't be embarrassed.

Pelvic floor won't help if you have a prolapse or rectocele etc. Go to the GP and they will look. Have they ever mentioned anything when you have had a smear? Are you a bit constipated?

Hi - I live in the US and saw these advertised recently. I've no personal experience of them but do remember thinking that they sounded like a good idea. Is there a UK equivalent?

www.poise.com/products/impressa/faq/what-are-poise-impressa-bladder-supports

Try the Foo Foo Fun Club

I was friendly with a physio who said tena lady adverts infuriated her because 'it doesn't have to be that way' you do need to go to your gp though.
Good luck

Follow her on twitter too!

I downloaded the NHS Squeezy App which reminds me on my phone, it's v good

The 'Foo Foo Fun' club??

I've used them since I was 22 so 40 isn't young. My issues are caused by a prolapsed bladder following childbirth which they refuse to repair due to my age. You may have better luck.

Yanbu to feel that way, I remember being so gutted when I needed them, since I've been to physio and while I'll probably Never trampoline again lol I'm toned up down there and no longer need the pads (after 7 babies), the physio really helps.

I'd suggest go into your GP and getting your bloods checked. Could be a fibroid or something else causing it, but you should get it investigated.

I and other women have this worse, as your entering the Peri-Menapause/Menapause, but then it does slightly improve, so don't think that this is forever.

I was diagnosed with an 'anxious bladder' and have tablets, but was also referred to an incontinence clinic and am due to start physio.

Go to your GP, this isn't a natural part of aging.

Yes - follow Gussiegrips on teitter

Get checked for diabetes.

When I had a sedentary desk job I seemed to need to go more quickly and more often.

Can hang on for hours now am retired and have time to walk regularly.

Totally agree with the peri menopause/ menopause having an effect on the pelvic floor. I was fine doing my excercises every day until I got to 44 and now Tena features on my shopping list frequently.

It would be a good idea to get checked for infection, maybe diabetes, your GP may want to do other tests too.

What about diet related causes? For example, a lot of people react badly to artificial sweatners - it can cause bladder irritation to the extent that it makes you leak wee. Several of my family members are affected in this way (and they have to read food and drink labels carefully, as Splenda etc are put in lots of unexpected things these days, not just diet fizzy drinks).

Agree with other posters saying get it medically checked, esp if it has either come on or worsened suddenly, but check out kegel 8 machines which do the squeezes for you. They are expensive but absolutely liberating for the naturally lazy pelvic floor exerciser and they also have fantastic results. My issues are different but the machines strengthens everything up. Best £150 you'll ever spend and you'd make your money back in a relatively short time if you don't need tena anymore. Also recommended for peri and menopause when muscle tone naturally degenerates. Good luck!