TAKE BACK CONTROL

Stop bladder problems making your life miserable

- SAMANTHA WOOD

There’s often an in-joke among midlife women about letting ‘a bit of wee out’ when we do anything too adventurous, such as bouncing on a trampoline or laughing too hard. Even a cough or a sneeze could be considered high risk at times! As we get older, bladder complaints such as incontinence, nocturia and the urge to go can become more common. In fact, one in three women experience bladder issues, but 57% would never seek treatment for the problem.* Feel like life is too short to put up with it any longer? Here’s what could help.

Is your lifestyle to blame?

Incontinence is the most typical bladder problem for women. ‘While it’s common in those who’ve had children – due to damage caused to pelvic floor muscles and ligaments during pregnancy and childbirth – there are lots of other factors that can cause it,’ says Dr Deborah Lee from doctorfox.co.uk. ‘Obesity can put pressure on pelvic floor muscles, while smoking can cause chronic coughing and bladder irritation. Plus, loss of oestrogen during the menopause can add to the weakening of the muscles that hold urine inside the bladder, causing leakage.’ Speak to your GP about whether HRT could be suitable for you.

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