Running and bladder control

[Happyinheels]

So just throwing this out there 🙈

Just starting back up running and looking for advice.
Can anyone recommend some comfortable sanitary wear please? I've tried a few types and they feel bulky and awful!
The joys of 2 kids! Thanks!

I have made my own reusable padded undies but you could try some purpose made ones. I use washable pads and a cup for period so I tried the pads for running "leakage"but too bulky. I love my padded underwear, it's not perfect and I wear seamless boxers under them if I'm training long distances as they chafe a bit but proper ones probably wouldn't! They definitely do the job for leaky bladders!

On another pelvic floor note I can't run with my cup in either 🙄

https://www.iconundies.com/collections/incontinence-underwear

Thinking about getting some if these as my home made ones are getting very worn! Pricey though!!!

I wore a sanitary towel for a HM recently after a surprise early period arrival.

Ooh the chafing. Still brings real, stinging tears to me poor eyes, it does. Oof.

Oh thank god it isn’t just me!!!

I can’t run because ofthis

OP have you seen your GP about this? There are treatments that can help, things like physiotherapy.

Maybe you have already been, or you don’t want to for whatever reason, but I thought I would just mention it because sometimes women assume that it’s just one of those things that happens when you’ve had children, but it doesnt have to be.

The long term solution might be to attend Pilates classes. The resulting increase in strength will hopefully enable you to control your bladder AND you will run faster and be less likely to become injured.

What about some of those period knickers that absorb? Also a running bumbag and a shewee!!

@motortroll yes they are pricey but I suppose it all evens out with them being reusable?

The pads I've been wearing feel like what I'd imagine a nappy feels like 🤦🏻‍♀️ and they're so uncomfortable! And when I'm in my leggings it feels like an obvious bulge!

I had a hysterectomy in my early thirties and had to also have everything hoiked back into place, including my bladder. 10 years on and it's not horrific but my GP said I couldn't have surgery. Don't get me wrong, it's not horrific or affecting daily life but running puts pressure on my bladder enough that I can't run without wearing a pad.

I've only just returned to running after a break and last time I found that over time it improved.

I have tried yoga and Pilates too.

ForAMinuteThere that's an idea!

I've also just returned after a 6 month injury break and noticing the difference! I find yoga very useful, I've also been advised to cut out sugar and caffeine as my bladder is irritable. I really need to do that....

I've put on a lot of weight (see sugar ref above!) and I wonder if that's made it worse?

@CollaterlieSistersSister

I did 20 miles last year in an underwired bra!! I was staying at a friends and forgot my sports bra. I was nearly sick with the pain when I finished!!

I used the free NHS 'Squeezy' app which really helped. There are certain times in my cycle when I still struggle, but the app really helped me to improve my pelvic floor. It has to be worth a go as it is free!

Squeezy app and a ring pessary to keep my bladder prolapse sufficiently hoiked up do the trick for me (no surgery yet as I want another baby at some point and am managing fine at the moment with Pilates, kegels, pessary for running and e-stim)

@3boysNeedABiggerKitchen is that a thing then with your cycle? I thought I was imagining it! I'm def worse at different times.

@Verbena87 how does the ring pessary work? I was wondering about then but I can't keep my cup in when running so....

I have a minor bowel prolapse (rectocele) which makes it trickier

Being a mum is so glam!

@motortroll I can’t keep a cup in while walking anymore - partly because the muscles supporting the side walls are torn/stretched out and partly because my cervix/bulgy bladder are low enough to shove it back out (as you say; the absolute glamour of motherhood ) - so don’t rule one out.

It’s a flexible ring that you fold in half to insert (the gynae does this effortlessly at your fitting appointment. The first time you do it you will fire it across the bathroom, pinch your labia with it, let go at the wrong moment and give yourself flashbacks of crowning. It gets easier!) and is basically too massive to fall out, so stays in and pushes your cervix up and your bladder forwards - basically pelvic underwiring. Worth looking into as it means I can run without pissing in my shorts or loosing my organs, I also use EVB compression shorts which support your perineum so would I assume be good for rectocele as well. I’m not sure about whether ring pessaries are just for cystocele but there are loads of other sorts as well. I’d chat to a gynae/specialist nurse and see what they suggest.

Sounds like fun ha ha! I will def be chatting to my doc about this! Thanks for the info

No worries. Along with Pilates, Squeezy and electrical stimulation mine has made my life so much better (I’m happier and nicer when I can run comfortably!). Good luck!

Verbena that sounds like something I could benefit from. Do you have to be referred to a gynae to have it fitted? After pregnancy I had a hysterectomy and had a bowel and bladder prolapse repaired. But it feels like after 10 years that it could maybe benefit from that underwiring...

@happyinheels yeah, my urogynae fitted mine then had handed me over to the practise nurse if I have any problems with it (though I’ve not needed to see her). You can buy various pessaries online but I think it’s better to have someone who knows what they’re doing fit you, plus mine was free this way 👍🏼.

Can I be cheeky and ask how you found the repair/recovery, and why you decided to go for it? I’ve been told I’ll probably need one (grade 2 cystocele, slight uterine prolapse) once I’m done having babies but at the moment feel I’d rather avoid as long as possible. Be good to hear from another runner who’s had repairs done, but only if you don’t mind sharing.

Low estrogen weakens the bladder walls so week 2 of cycle can be challenging for some ladies. But also, just before the period, the uterus is heavier than normal with its thick lining and can put pressure on the bladder.

This is all great info! I've learnt so much! Week 2 is that week for me. Now I feel more normal!

Thank you everyone for the ideas and responses!

@Verbena87 so sorry for the late response! Yes, I think they would only do the repair once you're done having babies. I don't mind answering any questions. I went for the surgery simply because it was an absolute necessity. Both my bladder and bowel had prolapsed and it would only get worse. I had it at the same time I had to have a hysterectomy. I was 33 and had 2 very young children. The recovery was hard because I wasn't supposed to lift for about 3 months. It wasn't possible for me to not lift. I had family support the first few weeks but I had to just crack in with being a mum. You definitely need to follow the advice! I had some issues afterwards, a massive bleed and had to be readmitted. I also couldn't move my bowels after the surgery which caused a lot of problems.
The bowel repairs have lasted but the bladder repairs never really solved the problem. But it is better than it was. I figured I could live with it only affecting me when running or coughing.
If you want to pm me then I'm more than happy to answer any questions. I've been quite brief here as obviously it's quite a personal thing and not sure everyone wants to read about my experiences 😂