The holidays are here. Welcome to the season awkward family photos and sugar filled delights like cranberry sauce and fudge. While those sugary snacks sure are delicious, sugar and other sweeteners can irritate your bladder and lead to leaks. We’ve got the scoop on all things sweet and leaky. It’s All The Same To Your Bladder Going down the aisles at your grocery store, you’ll likely see a lot of different kinds of sweeteners. From “all natural” or “replacement” sugars to the kind of artificial sweeteners that have been around for decades. As far as your bladder is concerned, there’s no difference between these sweeteners. Some studies even show that…
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Backed Up & Bothered: Constipation & Leaks
If you’re reading this, then chances are you’ve experienced what it feels like to be backed up. The abdominal discomfort, physiological distress, and the urge to let go of what’s been holding you back. Yes, that’s constipation for you. However, that’s not all it brings with it. Have you ever noticed that leaks are more common when you’re stopped up? Or that it’s more difficult to poop when you’re on incontinence drugs? Let’s get down to how and why constipation and bladder leaks are connected. When you know better, you do-do better. Too soon? Clogged Pipes: What’s Up With Constipation? The official definition of constipation is having fewer than three…
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Entering The Void: Double Voiding
When it comes to pesky spritz and sprinkles (a.k.a. incontinence), some of us women feel like we need to go to the bathroom all the time – even after just having been there. This can be frustrating and sometimes embarrassing if, after leaving the bathroom, you feel the need to go right back in. Have you ever left the table at a restaurant to use the bathroom, only to realize you need to pee again after going back to the table? (And when you just want to eat the pizza while it’s hot?). It’s understandable, but a little awkward. Good news: we’re here to give awkward a way forward. Welcome…
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What’s Hormones Got To Do With It?
Oh, hormones. The signaling molecules that not only influence our mood and behavior but also regulate certain cells and tissues. To put it simply, hormones pack a lot of punch. Have you ever felt cranky and couldn’t put your finger on why? Do you ever find yourself craving chocolate during certain times of the month? And have you ever noticed that leaks are more common during one part of your cycle over the other? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you can chock it up to your hormones. Let’s dive in to what hormones have to do with incontinence. Hormones and Your Pelvic Floor As you…
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When Your Baby Bump Comes With Unexpected Sprinkles
Pregnancy can be overwhelming. In between practicing breathing exercises, getting registered at Target, and marking name books comes lots of changes. And while we mamas love to share stories and tips about getting ready for baby, we aren’t very good at having real talk about changes to us. Specifically, physical changes to our bodies. Oh, yeah. We’re going there. So, your pea in the pod has brought on another kind of pee? Good news – you’re not the only one! Below, you’ll find an in-depth and honest guide to bladder leaks (i.e. incontinence) while you’re pregnant and after you’ve given birth. You’re In Good Company One of the most common…
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Does Your Pelvic Prolapse Hang Low?
Do you remember learning about the pelvic floor in high school anatomy? Chances are, you probably don’t! I sure don’t. The topic wasn’t all that appealing and it didn’t seem relevant back then. But, boy oh, boy, how often things change as we age, right? Today, your pelvic floor is more important than it’s ever been before. More than one-third of American women have a pelvic floor disorder, like pelvic prolapse, and they only become more common as we age. Oof. Toss me some anti-wrinkle cream. What You Missed In Anatomy About The Pelvic Floor Although you’ve been carrying your pelvic floor around with you your entire life, you probably…
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Gotta Go, Gotta Go! The A-Z On OAB
The term “overactive bladder” may conjure up pictures of running to the bathroom every five minutes and jokes about peeing more than a race horse, but it’s more than that. Having an overactive bladder can also be super embarrassing, leaving you hiding out from your work and social life in the bathroom. But your life is so much more than hours spent running to a stall; here’s some advice on how you can navigate your overactive bladder. What is overactive bladder? Overactive bladder (OAB) a frequent urge to urinate and NOW. This sense of urgency is the key trait of OAB. It’s estimated that over 33 million people in the…
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What’s Your Type? (Of Bladder Leaks)
There are so many different ways of talking about urination. We’ll say things like “my bladder is full,” “I have to relieve myself,” or even “I need to pee!” Everyone needs to empty their bladders – it’s a normal part of life. But when you find you’re having urine leaks, you may well not want to talk about it. Ladies who leak are often very embarrassed by it. But you’re not alone! Incontinence is very common. 45% of women ages 40-60 — and 1 in 3 women overall — experience bladder leaks. So, millions of women are in your same situation. How your bladder works To understand which of the…
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Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: Menopause & Bladder Leaks
Rumor has it that life actually begins at 40! That’s right, the gray hairs and the slight creak of your bones signifies that you’ve accumulated assets, memories, and wisdom. While you recognize that this of season of your life may involve night sweats, fatigue, and alarming hot flashes, you still have much to be grateful for. However, there’s just this one thing you weren’t expecting. Nobody told you about the bladder leakage that could accompany menopause — wasn’t incontinence supposed to be an old person problem? Or, is it possible that you’re the only one experiencing this? Trust us, you’re not! We’ll enlighten you on this one menopause symptom that…
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Incontinence 101: Everything You Need To Know
As women, our bodies go through the ringer. Monthly periods. Pregnancy. Childbirth. Menopause. From all that activity, it’s no surprise that our pelvic floor takes a hit. Our muscles and nerves fatigue from all of the work they do and get stressed under pressure. This can cause bladder leakage, otherwise known as urinary incontinence. While leaks can be frustrating, there are lots of techniques that can help make them no big deal. Here’s everything you need to know about those spritz, sprinkles, and urges and how to manage them. And we really do mean everything! What Is The Definition Of Incontinence Exactly? The technical term for bladder leakage is urinary…
