DOES IT WORK? Leak Stoppers
Prevention US|July 2022
What helps-and what doesn't-with bladder trouble
SHARLENE BREAKEY
DOES IT WORK? Leak Stoppers

If you pee a little when you laugh or cough, or you get a sudden urge to go and then drip before you can make it to the restroom, you have something in common with as many as half of women 50 and older: urinary incontinence (UI). Pregnancy, menopause, and plain old aging can cause weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which is the most common cause of UI. We asked the experts to weigh in on products designed to help.

PESSARIES

WHAT THEY ARE: Devices that sit in the vagina and provide support they are usually intended for vaginal prolapse but can also be used for incontinence. Some require a doctor visit to find the right fit. Pessaries meant for incontinence provide extra support under the urethra to "seal" it so urine won't leak out. Some over-the-counter options are made of reusable silicone or plastic, while others are disposable.

This story is from the July 2022 edition of Prevention US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2022 edition of Prevention US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PREVENTION USView All
5 Myths About Cancer
Prevention US

5 Myths About Cancer

The "C" word is scary enough without misinformation making things worse. Here are a few "I've heards" that you don't need to listen to anymore.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
EAT FOR STRONG BONES
Prevention US

EAT FOR STRONG BONES

The right mix of nutrients helps support a sturdy skeleton.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
THE DOCTOR IS IN When UTIS Keep Coming Back
Prevention US

THE DOCTOR IS IN When UTIS Keep Coming Back

Recurrent UTIs hit women more often than men— here’s what does and doesn’t work to prevent them.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Why Did I Feel as if I Had the Flu for Years?
Prevention US

Why Did I Feel as if I Had the Flu for Years?

Some days she just couldn’t get out of bed. It took some 10 doctors to figure out why.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Make Your Everyday Life Easier
Prevention US

Make Your Everyday Life Easier

Light weights are your ticket to a stronger core, which you need to lift, balance, and move with confidence.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
WHAT'S YOUR ATTACHMENT STYLE?
Prevention US

WHAT'S YOUR ATTACHMENT STYLE?

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF TO CONNECT MORE WITH OTHERS.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
Stretch Away BACK PAIN
Prevention US

Stretch Away BACK PAIN

STRETCHING IS A POWERFUL PAINKILLER. All your muscles, bones, and tendons are connected, so pain mama in one body part can affect another. With stretching, you can loosen multiple areas at once. Try these backcentric moves from Prevention’s Stretch Away Pain.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
Your Over-the-Counter PAIN DRUG GUIDE
Prevention US

Your Over-the-Counter PAIN DRUG GUIDE

IF NON-PHARMACEUTICAL TREATMENTS like ice and heat aren't helping enough, there are over-the-counter meds that can bring relief, but they're not interchangeable.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
"Oh, my ACHING..."
Prevention US

"Oh, my ACHING..."

JUST GOING ABOUT OUR LIVES can bring on pain in three areas of the body in particular: the back, the neck, and the knees.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
Hope for CHRONIC PAIN sufferers
Prevention US

Hope for CHRONIC PAIN sufferers

AN ACHY BACK AFTER A NIGHT ON A SOFA BED is one thing, but some pain persists long after you're technically healed.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024