October 18, 2024, 12:50 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Some women dribble when exercising or laughing – others feel like they have to go to the toilet all the time. What is the reason if the bladder does not seal properly? What can I do about it, and how can I prevent it? STYLEBOOK asked an expert.
According to a representative survey by Elvie, every second woman has experienced uncontrolled urine loss. But very few talk about it. Only one in five confides in their best friend. 52 percent of those surveyed hesitate to see a doctor about their bladder weakness. Instead, many women withdraw and go out less – out of fear that there could be an “accident,” which may even be visible to everyone present. But this doesn’t have to be the case, as bladder weakness can often be well managed.
Overview
The two forms of bladder weakness
There are two different types of bladder weakness. “Anyone who loses urine unintentionally when coughing, sneezing, laughing, running or jumping on a trampoline is suffering from stress incontinence,” explains Dr. Mandy Mangler, Head of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria Hospital in Berlin. “Women who constantly feel the need to go to the toilet are experiencing urge incontinence.”
Childbirth promotes bladder weakness
Both forms of incontinence can have many causes. For example, constant urinary tract infections can increase the risk. Many women develop bladder weakness after giving birth. According to the German Association for Health Information and Consumer Protection, 25 percent of all women between the ages of 25 and 35 are affected. A study published in England in 2016 also found that three-quarters still suffer from bladder weakness twelve years after giving birth. This is often caused by a weak pelvic floor. “Some births put a lot of strain on it,” explains Mangler. “That’s why it’s important to strengthen it after, but also before, the birth. There are exercises for this on YouTube, but you can also book special courses with pelvic floor trainers.”
Some sex practices should be avoided
It can happen that you lose urine unintentionally during sex. However, sex itself is good for the pelvic floor. Sex generally stimulates blood circulation, and contractions during orgasm train and strengthen the pelvic floor. However, Dr. Mandy Mangler advises caution with certain practices: “Inserting objects into the vagina that are significantly larger than a penis can compromise the pelvic floor.”
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Smoking affects the bladder
A Finnish study of 2,000 women from 2015 found that smokers are three times more likely to suffer from bladder weakness than non-smokers. This is in part because the smoker’s cough weakens the pelvic floor muscle over time. In addition, nicotine can trigger a similar stimulus in the body as the urge to urinate.