Do you ever experience bladder leakage when you laugh, cough, sneeze or exercise? This is known as stress incontinence. The amount of leakage can vary from a few drops to a leak large enough that cause you to change your clothes. It often starts as a small annoyance but can progress to be a big issue.
So what causes this? Some of the biggest causes of stress incontinence are childbirth, chronic coughing, constipation or joint laxity. Pelvic floor muscles become overstretched during pregnancy and childbirth and are no longer able to keep the openings of the urethra, vagina and anus closed. Bearing down also weakens the pelvic floor as these muscles are meant to act as a support similar to a trampoline at the base of your pelvis. Larger babies or quick deliveries often lead to problems down the road.
If you have constipation you are likely bearing down often and weakening these muscles. It is important to have the right balance of water, fiber and exercise to minimize this problem. Propping your feet up on a stool or “squatty potty” can help relax the muscles of the pelvic floor when trying to have a bowel movement and prevent the need to bear down. Bearing down is never a good idea if you are having bladder leakage of any kind.
Pelvic floor physical therapy will help you identify possible causes and provide treatment to strengthen the pelvic floor, core and gluteal muscles that all attach to your pelvis. It’s time to stop hoping this issue will just go away. Get the help you need today.
