Bladder leaking

[samvimesboots]

After my last baby I had quite bad bladder leaking. I was lucky enough to get a Physio who specialised and I fixed it with pelvic floor exercises.

I've started to leak again. This week I've have a really bad cough and it's awful. Has anyone else had this with peri/menopause? And if so could you please give me some advice on what to do? (I've booked a GP appointment but the earliest was two weeks and I'm getting scared to leave the house).

Thanks

Can you go back to a women's physio? That's the first step and there are many more modern ways of treating this with bio-feedback devices etc. or at least start at home now. I expect you know i's 10 squeezes, 3 times a day holding for 10 with each squeeze? Lots of videos online.

You could also ask your GP for vaginal estrogen products which help strengthen the tissues around your bladder but they won't repair it completely, without exercises. If you're over 50 you can buy these products in a pharmacy - look for Ovesse or Gina.

I've never had a baby and smugly thought this meant I wouldn't have incontinence - how wrong I was.

Vaginal atrophy is universal with perimenopause/menopause and will likely be undoing your hard work with the women's physio.

Vaginal oestrogen is amazing.

You may need a referral to a gynaecologist however. If you have prolapse it may - worst case- need surgery.

Unfortunately, the physio has retired so I'm trying to find a new one.

Vaginal oestrogen sounds like it would help. I didn't realise I could get it over the counter so I'm going to try and get some.

Thanks all for your help. You've made me feel more positive

Oh gosh, this is so relatable! I had similar issues after my pregnancies and went to my GP about it. They confirmed stress incontinence which apparently loads of women get but nobody talks about.
I tried pelvic floor exercises (you know those squeeze thingies everyone bangs on about) but honestly they didn't help me much either. I've tried to manage it using pads but they gave me awful irritation. the rashes were horrible!
I've switched to leak-proof underwear and it's been much better. I use knix for lighter days but for the heavier leaks I use ultradries, they hold more and don't irritate my skin. Neither of them makes that awful rustling sound either which is a bonus.
Definitely get to your GP though, they're so used to dealing with this stuff and it's way more common than people think. The shame around it is ridiculous really, it's just a normal thing that happens after babies!

See your doc for a general check .

Thanks, I have one booked in but earliest appointment is in a couple of weeks

It sounds like specialist support is what you need but for general daily exercises there is a great pelvic floor physio on Instagram - @femalephysioco

You're so right no one talks about it and it is so miserable leaking.

I'll look into the underwear thanks. The pads feel so wasteful. I'm sorry they irritated you.

You'll find it's worse just before your period (due to higher progesterone levels i think?). Not much help but good to know. Are you on HRT? That can help too.

Thanks I'll look them up

That's interesting. At the moment this dreadful cough is overriding everything.

Yes, I'm on HRT (patches and tablets). It's made life so much better in terms of bleeding and flashes, it is only the bladder leaking which is so bad because of this damn cough.

I had this soon after my baby, age around 45. Usually walking home from the station with zero warning, not noticing until my legs were wet. I tried the exercises to no avail. Then I started running (for fitness/weight loss), I’d pull my torso upwards whilst running, just for a 5/10 minute run, I’d wear a big tena pad because there’d always be an accident. But then a few weeks later, no more accidents. Plus I haven’t had one for about 5 years now!

Oh, that's interesting. I'd gone the other way and cancelled my aerobics class because I was so worried about it. I'll have a think about this one, I'm not sure I'm up for running but I'll google some stomach exercises see if I can find ones I can do and will help. Thank you it's good to know what works for other people.

That's unusual though nice for you.

I had surgery for a prolapse and was told no high impact exercise ever. That includes jogging and running and bouncing around with both feet off the floor.

@samvimesboots Go to google and look up Elaine Miller- women's physio who does some amazing (and funny!) comedy shows on this and she described how to do the exercises properly.

I could do with informative and funny. I'll look her up - Thanks