Urinary incontinence - is this in realms of normal?

[lollydu]

Bit of an embarrassing question but I'm seeing a gynae tomorrow about something else who has an interest in uro gynaecology so I need to know if this is even worth asking about (I.e. is this just something women who have been through childbirth have to put up with) or could something be done.

I'm not incontinent but when bouncing on a bouncy castle or even doing a star jump I will wet myself a bit. I exercise regularly and after some workouts if they include high impact jumping or even high knees running I will have slightly wet myself more than once! I could never do a class in a gym for example for fear of this happening. But then again my friends who've had children also joke about not being able to go on bouncy castles etc so maybe it is just in realms of normal?

An older family member in her 70s mentioned she is now having serious issues with this and wished she had spoken to someone pre menopause and not just assumed it's part and parcel of being a woman who has had children. So I'm wondering if I mention to the consultant is there anything that can be done? I probably don't do enough pelvic floor exercises and was looking at one of those pelvic floor strengtheners on amazon so if anyone has seen an improvement with physical therapy I would be interested to hear from you :)

Thank you all

X

Yes yes yes... for goodness sake tell him!!
And INSIST on being listened to... it is NOT normal.. it is NOT acceptable and it is NOT just one of those things women have to put up with.
And tell your friends to get help.. because otherwise they will be spending their pensions on incontinence pads...

That is the truth.....

Oh.. i thought this was normal after having a baby! I bet loads of others do too!
Who do you need to see? The GP?

I’ve had two children but by c section. I have a great bladder where I often can hold it for hours and hours and my pelvic floor is strong but I leak during a run or bouncing on a trampoline. My GP says it is common and just to do more of my pelvic floor exercise but I swear I could crack a nut in there

You need to see physio who specialises in continence. Could be referred via GP or practice nurse or self refer.

I probably don't do enough pelvic floor exercises

Download the NHS squeezy app. It sends you a reminder (4 x a day) to do them. Most women don’t do them enough. With menopause the decline in oestrogen causes further problems for the PFM.
Start doing them daily now 4 X a day and you will see the difference in around 3-4 weeks.

You need to clench you your bum as if holding in a fart when you squeeze too, many women don’t do them properly.

Thank you all! I will download the squeezy app and also speak to the consultant. I would say it has got worse over the years, I'm mid 30s now and don't want to to get any worse. I will update here with any useful info I get from the consultant x

Can someone link to the NHS app please? I've just looked on the app store and can't see an NHS endorsed one. TIA.

https://squeezyapp.com/ is it this one

I've struggled with urinary incontinence since I had DD 15 years ago. I've spoken to GP about it several times over the years. Seen a 'specialist'... hate to tell you... in my experience they couldn't care less! It IS just seen as something we have to get on with.

I will be speaking to GP again in the new year as it's just getting worse and worse.

For those who say we don't have to put up with this, what has your GP suggested?