To ask why my pelvic floor no longer works?

[PelvicFloorByebye]

Posting here partly for traffic and partly because I think IABU to wonder where my pelvic floor has gone!

I've had 4 children, which is why I suspect I'm being unreasonable, but all sections, no vaginal births at all. BUT I've never ever had bladder weakness, no issues jumping on a trampoline etc. Until this past week. Suddenly I've ZERO bladder control, like within seconds of going "oh I need a wee" , I can feel a dribble starting, and I can't stop it! This has never happened to me before, is it normal?? I've never had an issue before. Is this just a sign of aging or something else? My youngest is 2, if that makes a difference.

Urine infection?

Have you been doing your pelvic floor exercises?
Are you in your 40's and heading into menopause?

Isn’t it the pregnancies themselves that impacts the pelvic floor?

I'd see your GP. It could be urge incontinence, which isn't the same as stress (post baby) incontinence.

This sounds to me like a urine infection but I’m not an expert! Have you seen your GP? I think you should Xox

Sounds more like a UTI. A pharmacist might be able to help quicker than your GP - they can prescribe antibiotics for you if you've not had a UTI in the last 12 months.

That's not the same thing. You need to look at why that is. Is is it just when you need to wee?

You can get antibiotics online now from Boots, I had the same and a three day course sorted it out. £22 iirc.

Have had UTI's in past, its nothing like that. Even heavily pregnant I didn't have bladder issues. Am early 30's so def not the menopause. Do yoga and pilates regularly so always doing pelvic exercises.

Haven't wanted to go to go, I thought they'd just say "yeah, you've had 4 children"

What is urge incontinence?

Def need to exclude a UTI in the first instance OP.

Is it possible you could have a urinary tract infection?
I have an over sensitive bladder nerve and am prone to UTI's, and when i have an infection even the first alert that i need the toilet has me only just making it from sofa to loo, often having to unbutton on the way up the stairs. Otherwise no bladder weakness in regard to coughing/sneezing or other stresses. (32 no kids but overweight)

UTI can present with varying symptoms, and in some cases can even be asymptomatic. Leaking/dribbling/reduced control can be one of the symptoms, it doesn't always come with frequent urge or burning sensation.

You can buy test kits off amazon, Call GP who may request a sample, or get an antibiotic prescription from gp/out of hours/111, often without a sample in current climate as it's first line approach for suspected UTI's.

Whatever the cause i really hope it's nothing serious and is easy/quick to treat

@pinkfondu it's pretty much within seconds of realizing I need to wee, I start weeing. My pelvic floor is intact enough I can slow it down to get to a loo in time, but I can't hold it anymore.

Mine didn't present typically as an UTI either just very urgently needed the loo. Antibiotics cleared it up.

Shouldn't just snap and it's gone though, would have expected a weakening rather than bang and it's gone.

There is a broken fanjo thread on women health that has some very experienced women, but either way get checked out

I'd also be thinking uti rather than sudden failure of pelvic floor. Go to the Gp!

Sorry i see lots of comments got in before me while i was typing!

Urge incontinence is when you get an overwhelming urge to wee, and the bladder spasms/contracts and empties itself involuntarily. Some people get enough warning that they can get to a toilet on time, but many don't.
Similaraly the bladder nerve can become over sensitive, and give you that desperate urge feeling that you're full to bursting and can't hold it, even when the bladder is fairly empty. Sometimes i can have as little as an egg cup worth of urine in my bladder but the sensitivity triggers as if it is full and i'm desperate. It's a dysfuntion of the detrusor muscle, even the slightest stretching of the bladder is misinterpreted as it being at capacity.
Both the above can be treated with varying success with a medication called oxybutinin, as well as there being bladder training exercises a doctor can coach you through.

I've had my bladder issues for so long i honestly don't remember how fast the onset was from having "normal" bladder sensations and control, but for this to havbe gone from 0-100 in less than a week, my money would be on UTI or an injury.

If it's come on this suddenly you need to see the gp. Don't let them fob you off because you've had 4 pregnancies.

FYI- the pregnancies and c sections can do for pelvic floor too. Too correct, pilates and / or a physio who specialises in women's pelvic function.

C-sections can be pretty rough on your body including your bladder, I’m not sure why but so many people think c-section = less chance of bladder problems but that’s not true. Plus pregnancy itself can wreck your pelvic floor.
Since it’s sudden it could be a UTI as other have said. See your GP and do not be fobbed off.

Thanks everyone, I'll make an appointment with the gp x