When it rains, it pours!
**Sigh** as frustrating as bladder leaks are, dealing with the embarrassment of an accident you may have had because you laughed or coughed in front of your girlfriends is so much more humiliating.
Whether you’ve just had a baby or you’re approaching menopause, or anywhere in between, bladder leaks and the frequent urge to go, are more common than you think. One in three women have a leaky bladder. And most, suffer in silence. We’re more open to discussing diabetes, arthritis, cancer or even heart disease at work or at home than “I can’t believe I just peed my pants!”
Very often we feel isolated and ashamed of this problem and most women wait about six to seven years to even bring it up to their doctor. It’s just sooooooo embarrassing! And there’s such a stigma attached to it. So what do we do? We carry extra pads… even when we’re NOT on our monthly, always have extra clothes in the trunk, only buy black leggings, invest a whole lot of money in body sprays. Always wondering… can anyone smell that?
Ladies, did you know that if you have incontinence (leaky bladder) at 12 weeks postpartum, 92% of you will still have incontinence at 5 years! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279173/
Some common types of urinary incontinence are...
1) Stress Urinary Incontinence -when you leak urine with physical activity such as laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercise. Step leak, step leak, step leak. Can’t workout because you leak with every jumping jack. Sound familiar?
2) Urge Incontinence also called Overactive Bladder- a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate. Tinkle? Piddle? Pop a squat? Insanely searching for the nearest bathroom because you can’t hold it? Sometimes you make it, sometimes you don’t.
3) Urinary Frequency -the need to urinate many times during the day. Running to the nearest ladies room every few minutes making it impossible to do your job. Feeling like you have to pee every three seconds like when you were pregnant.
4) Mixed Incontinence -a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
5) Nocturia -when you wake up more than one or two times a night to urinate. Ugh! And forget trying to fall back to sleep.
Are you tired of the pee spray, urine smell and wardrobe changes under the guise of “freshening up?” So take charge of your health starting today and talk to your doctor and make sure nothing else is going on down there (eg; pelvic organ prolapse, urinary tract infection or bladder infection ~all which can cause you to leak a little pee). Once you’ve ruled everything else out and it’s just “Mom Bladder” that you’ve got, here is a list of devices and therapies available for you.
1)Pads - we’re all familiar with these. But there is a difference between incontinence pads and period pads. Period pads are designed for a more thick liquid that slowly trickles out. Incontinence pads are designed for a thinner liquid and are better equipped to deal with the untimely “gush” of pee. Both do a great job of protecting your clothes (and dignity) but don’t stop the leaks.
2) Pessary -a soft, flexible vaginal insert (kind of like a diaphragm) that presses against the vaginal wall to help lift the bladder and/or close the urethra so you don’t leak pee. You need to be fitted by your healthcare provider. It’ll help stop the leaks.
3) Pee proof panties -these are great for added protection! There are some that even look and feel like a regular panty! With no bulky pad in the middle they still do a great job of keeping you dry! But, they don’t stop the leaks or the constant urge to pee.
4) Incontinence Medications -prescribed by your doctor. Stops leaks and urges, may have side effects like dry eye, dry mouth or constipation. Some medications have even been linked to dementia. Be careful using these. And make sure you ask your doctor lots of questions.
5) Vaginal probe -an over the counter vaginal device that stimulates the pelvic floor muscles through mild electrical impulses. Takes about ten minutes a day, is used in the privacy of your home and results are seen in a few weeks. Helps stop both leaks and urges.
6) Surgery - (a) Mesh Sling -hammock like sling that lifts and supports your urethra and bladder neck. (b) Sacral Nerve Stimulation -an implantable/ pacemaker-like device inserted into the base of your spine that sends mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves (the ones that control the bladder). Helps stop leaks and urges. But, before you decide to go under the knife, please, please, please take a look at a documentary on NetFlix called The Bleeding Edge. Many women have had some serious, negative side effects. The Bleeding Edge documents the journey of a few of these women.
The Bleeding Edge
7) Urethral covering device -an over the counter soft, foam, squishy device that’s placed directly over the urethral opening. Stops bladder leaks only. Great for workouts!
8) Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy -physical therapist specializing in the pelvic floor will use exercises to encourage relaxation and strengthening of the muscles of the lower pelvis. Usually you’re referred by your doctor but, you can also seek out one on your own. You’ll probably need a few sessions to get the full benefit but, definitely worth the time. Helps stop leaks and urges.
9) The Lady Patch -a drug free feminine sticky patch, that’s placed directly onto the clitoris. Yikes! Yes, it sounds crazy but, don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt. Why would you place it on your clitoris, you ask? Well, the main nerve of the clitoris is a direct branch of the Pudendal Nerve. And the Pudendal Nerve controls bladder function. ***THEORY*** placing Lady Patch onto your clitoris may stimulate the nerves throughout the pelvic floor. Which means less leaking and fewer urges to go. It’s the only over the counter device that’s designed to stop bladder leaks and the frequent urge to urinate.
The only drug free patch to control your bladder.
Lady Patch is newly available here on our website, just click the shop now button. We offer a 30 day money back guarantee. So give it a try! It might just be the solution you’re looking for.
-Cindy Santa Cruz
About the author:
Cindy Santa Cruz, founder and CEO of Lady Patch