Urinary incontinence post 50

[Lanzarotelady]

It is driving me insane - I have always had urge issues, think I have a sensitive bladder or I am that paranoid about not having anywhere to go as soon as I get an urge I go.

But since 50, not sure if its related to menopause, but its getting out of hand, I went for a walk yesterday and was out 3 hours and had to have 2 wee's behind a tree!

Its embarrassing if I am out with friends, I am always on the look out for a loo
Is there anything my GP could do, any medications that would help?

Following. I'm like this younger than 50!!

Speak to your GP - vaginal atrophy springs to mind (a million times worse than it sounds).

Get a diabetes test.

Worse than it sounds? 😩

Definitely speak to your GP for advice, they can refer you to urology if necessary. Also might be worth downloading the squeezy app to help with your pelvic floor. Please don't suffer with it, I have had continence issues related to MS in the past but have had help/advice and now I rarely have issues.

Its awful, isnt it. Your whole life revolves around finding a toilet.
Yes, lots of choice of medications your GP can prescribe, they can also refer you to the incontinence clinic and urogyn as well.
I sm currently awaiting botox in my bladder after many years of suffering.
Good luck

I have incontinence issues related to interstitial cystitis and early menopause- I’m 44, went into menopause aged 37 and have had IC and other autoimmune issues since 14. The main things that have helped me are internal oestrogen - Ovestin cream or similar, not pessaries as they can actually be difficult to dissolve and make you more sore. There are oestrogen receptors in our bladder and as we get older these need re filling. You might also benefit from systemic HRT (I can’t take this due to my autoimmune issues but others find it beneficial, even if you can’t take full HRT you can have the vaginal oestrogen as it’s very low dose). Amitriptyline has also really helped me with urgency etc. I do still need to wear incontinence products though, it’s just something I’ve come to accept as I don’t want anymore invasive procedures etc. But it’s better than it was.

Me too - waiting for Botox, although I am going private for the first round as the NHS waiting list is around 9 months where I am.

It is ridiculously expensive, we’re talking a couple of thousand pounds, but I am so tired of living like this and I’m sure some women spend more than that on hair, makeup and clothes, not to mention getting Botox in their faces. I’m staying on the NHS list and am hoping the timing will work out that I get the next lot as the first lot is wearing off.

@Lanzarotelady It is definitely worth seeing your gp and you can ask to be referred to a uro/gynae clinic if needed and see a specialist gynae physio.
I have been taking a drug called Mirabegron which is good for urge incontinence, but you can also do bladder training and see if vaginal oestrogen helps.

I make a joke of needing a wee all the time with my friends but it’s a defence mechanism really. I hate it.

Ovestin. Kegels. Bladder retraining. Plenty online re all of that.

Definitely see your GP. It’s not something you should have to live with and whether it’s a health condition or just a need to tighten up to muscles, it can be improved. Frankly it makes me mad that things like Tena Lady pads and pants are marketed as if peeing yourself involuntarily is just normal for women once they hit 45 and they just have to put up with it.

I’ve found losing weight helps enormously. Especially when we now carry extra stomach weigh during the menopause.

Oxybutinin tablets are a game changer. Been on them for 20 odd years and I have a much more reliable bladder now. GP can prescribe these. Cutting out caffeine and alcohol helps enormously too.

Womens health physio - find one that suits you. Honestly, it's the best money I've ever spent after suffering a bladder prolapse after my first child. They help women of all ages, sadly not spoken about enough in this country.

Op it will of course be meno related. It is well documented that depleted hormones cause these issues.
Firstly do an econsult and send off a specimen to rule out a uti.
Then consider hrt if it is affecting your quality of life so much.

Definitely see your GP. I was put on medication but didn't really make a difference. I was referred to womens health physio. I had eight sessions. A lot of exercises and sessions on a device to strengthen muscles. All good for a while then got bronchitis and the coughing undid most of my good work. Was referred on to urology clinic. Met urology nurse, had bladder scanned and measured while full and after urinating. My bladder wasn't emptying fully so never had empty feeling. Discovered some damage from my first child's forceps birth 29 years ago. I was fitted with a pessary with a knob on it. This supports the bladder and the walls. What a difference. It took three days to settle. I had my one year check last week. My urgency has improved 90%. I can go out without panicking about where the closest toilet is. I can go out, I wasn't going out due to my bladder problems. I'm not up during the night so I'm not as tired. I may get up once at night if I've been out or drank late but it's rare. This pessary has made such a difference to my life