Treating Bladder Loss
You don’t have to put up with bladder problems
A weak bladder doesn’t have to dictate your life – with the right treatment, you can take back control. Many women regain strength and dexterity in their bladder muscles through simple everyday treatments.
In many cases, you can bounce back without surgery. But there’s no need to feel defeated if you need surgery either – it’s often a very effective treatment to combat loss of bladder control.
Talking about bladder treatment can be difficult for anyone. Even with a dedicated GP, many women live with problems related to bladder incontinence for years without seeking a solution. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Telling your doctor about incontinence and asking about bladder treatment options is one of the best ways to tackle the problem. You may be very pleasantly surprised to find that bladder treatments are effective and straightforward.
Bladder treatment options
If you’re part of the 3.4m Australian women experiencing bladder leakage , you probably want regain control of your bathroom habits. And as good as the following treatment options are, none of them are instant. Life goes on, and you social events, sports activities and trips away all do too. So Poise’s full range of products are there to back you up – thin , discreet and absorbent – even in yoga tights or swimmers.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises are the go-to option for most forms of incontinence and are so simple they can be done in bed or in front of the telly.
Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder and urethra. If they become weakened or slack (due to childbirth or other reasons), then you may experience bladder control problems. A simple daily routine can tone your pelvic floor, reduce (or fix) incontinence and provide general health benefits. Usually all within a few months, with the correct technique.
Biofeedback
Your doctor might suggest biofeedback to help you identify and control the muscles around your bladder opening. Biofeedback doesn’t hurt at all and it’s a great way to learn how to strengthen and tone your pelvic floor muscles, which will help you regain bladder control.
In a clinic or similar setting, you’ll be asked to undress from the waist down, put on a gown and lie on the examination table. A small probe is placed in the vagina or rectum and several electrodes are placed on the abdomen to pick up abdominal muscle activity. As you practice contracting your pelvic floor muscles, the sensors give signals that indicate when you’ve done it right.
The therapist will explain what’s going on and develop an exercise program for you to do in between your biofeedback sessions. Depending on the condition of your pelvic floor and how well you do your homework, you might have up to 8 one-hour biofeedback sessions over several months to regain your bladder control.
Bladder training
Bladder training is another non-surgical way to regain bladder control. It’s designed to help you increase the amount of urine you can hold in your bladder in between trips to the bathroom, without urgency or leakage of urine.
Bladder diary
Yes, strange as it may seem, keeping a bladder diary can help with bladder weakness. A bladder diary will help you pinpoint the times of the day and month when your bladder control is particularly bad. Using the information in your diary, your doctor will develop a training program for you.
Medication
In some cases, the best bladder treatment is medicine prescribed by a doctor, either alone or in combination with behavioural treatments. Some medications actually contribute to bladder control problems so make sure you tell your doctor about anything you’re taking in the way of prescription and over the counter medicines. All medicines should be taken under the supervision of your doctor.
Surgery
Surgery is usually a last resort after other treatments have failed. If your doctor thinks surgery is the best way to go, you’ll be referred to a surgeon who specialises in this type of procedure. He or she will tell you the about the advantages and risks.
Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, many people are embarrassed about their loss of bladder control and this can stop them from seeking treatment. If you have questions, check out this special bladder health FAQ page to give you the answers you need.
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek advice from a qualified health care professional with any questions regarding your concerns.
