Have you ever felt like you´re the only woman going through a certain situation or facing a particular issue? I´m here to tell you that -although you may feel that way- it´s seldom based on reality! When I share my trials and tribulations online or when speaking at conferences, my confessions are often received by other women with nods of understanding and complicit smiles.
Well, November is Bladder Health Awareness month, a great time to open up yet again about my bladder leaks. I´m a pretty active woman, and let me tell you, I´m not going to let a pee leak interrupt my day or make me feel less than! I will never forget my first leak as an adult. I peed my pants in public a few months after having my first baby at 37. I was pushing the stroller down the street and all of a sudden, I felt the urge to pee, followed by warmth between my legs. I wasn´t wearing any protection, so all I could do was tie my jacket around my waist to cover up the stain and walk back home. I felt embarrassed and a bit scared!
I read up on how to treat urinary incontinence and managed it through Kegel exercises (tightening and releasing the pelvic floor muscles) and staying hydrated. Things got better pretty quickly. Alas, I had another baby at 40 and, at 51, started on my menopausal journey. This means that at 55, mainly due to childbirth and hormonal changes, I again deal with bladder leaks here and there. However, I won´t let this stop me from enjoying my daily activities like walking the dog, gardening in our backyard or practicing yoga. These are all huge parts of my life, and I´m not one to miss out!
Although I´m not embarrassed to admit that I do, nobody has to know I´m wearing Always Discreet under my clothes unless I tell them. The underwear provides secure protection I can barely feel so, honestly, bladder leaks are just not something I fret about! I wish more women knew!
On behalf of Always Discreet, bladder health expert Dr. Renee is working to educate women on how to prioritize caring for their bladder. Turns out that while 1 in 3 women has a sensitive bladder, research shows that only 1 in 6 are using the right protection. Most women use period protection instead, but honestly, that´s just not designed to handle pee!
45% of women with sensitive bladders feel older than they really are. Don´t let that be you! I love that Always believes, just as I do, that body changes are a natural part of being a woman and that bladder leaks should just not prevent us from enjoying activities we love! More than 40% of women over the age of 40 have a sensitive bladder, and we deserve to use protection that is super absorbent, keeping us dry without the bulk. I will not stop wearing the clothes I love and I hope you will join me in using the right protection, to recover your confidence and enjoy life as it´s meant to be enjoyed!
Here are a few tips from Dr. Renee, and Always Discreet, to easily manage urinary incontinence:
- Kegel exercises, as I mentioned above.
- Quit caffeine and staying hydrated.
- Drink cranberry juice or taking over-the-counter cranberry tablets (as they have less sugar than the juice), which is a bladder protectant.
- Drink vitamin C or barley water, to keep your urine slightly acidic, which discourages infections.
- Empty your bladder immediately after intercourse if you are sexually active.
- Wear the right protection, like Always Discreet, which is a great combination of form, function and cute feminine design.
I really feel bladder leaks are no big deal, and so can you! I encourage you to visit alwaysdiscreet.com to learn more, and click here to purchase!