We emphatically refuse to use the ‘C’ word (that’s ‘continence’ by the way, nothing four-letter and crude).
But we know that lots of women over 50 suffer from occasional bladder issues – you probably know what we mean, the little leak when we laugh, cough or sneeze or during exercise.
It’s a bit of a taboo subject, the C-word (or, more accurately, the ‘i’ word, ‘incontinence’). Frankly, it’s embarrassing and uncomfortable to discuss.
Today at 50, 60 and 70 we are looking so good, but bits of our bodies occasionally betray us by showing wear-and-tear. One of these bits is our pelvic floor, particularly if we have had babies. But women who have never given birth may also have bladder issues. So, rather than try to hunt down the causes ourselves, we thought we’d ask an expert.
Lulu is a Chartered and State Registered Physiotherapist and an HCPC-registered Physiotherapist. She is a clinical specialist physiotherapist in women’s health, with over 20 years of experience in this field. As well as two decades of extensive specialist experience, she has a real passion to improve the quality of life for women suffering from pelvic floor problems.
She says: “I know from my commitment to this work in women’s health that it is very empowering to take control of these embarrassing problems. Awareness and the right exercises may also prevent problems from developing, she states.
“These are some of the main symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunctions:
- Do you ever leak urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise?
- Do you have an urgent need to rush to the loo and sometimes can’t make it in time with leakage on the way?
- Do you need to wee very frequently?
- Is your sleep disturbed by getting up to go to the loo?
- Do you have difficulty controlling your bowels or the passage of wind?
“If you answered ‘yes’ to any of them, you have some level of pelvic-floor dysfunction. If you have any heaviness or bulging, that may indicate a more serious issue of “dropped” womb, bladder or rectum (pelvic organ prolapse), and means you should consult your GP.”
Lulu explains: “Risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction include: childbirth especially assisted deliveries with forceps or vacuum; perineal tears; chronic constipation; chronic cough; heavy-lifting; obesity and inappropriate sport or high impact exercise (such as running, jumping weightlifting; even certain Pilates and abdominal exercises may further weaken a weak pelvic floor). After menopause, symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunctions can be increased by oestrogen deficiency.”
Lulu says: “Stop suffering in silence! If you have a women’s health problem now is the time to do something about it. Help is available for pelvic-floor problems.
“Clinical evidence shows that supervised pelvic floor exercise programmes with a women’s health physiotherapist with specialist training, can improve symptoms significantly and avoid surgery or other invasive treatment. Indeed, government health (NICE) guidelines state that supervised pelvic-floor muscle training should be a first-line treatment for incontinence.”
She says treatment may include: individualised muscle strengthening, bio-feedback, lifestyle advice and behavioural training.
Lulu notes that some women with urinary incontinence think they are doing pelvic-floor exercises because they read a ‘how-to’ leaflet, or perhaps from instruction in a Pilates class, or they looked online.
As a result many of us, she explains, have been incorrectly performing pelvic-floor exercises for many years. Unsurprisingly, this has yielded no improvement.
As Lulu points out, a highly-trained, specialist women’s health physiotherapist will make sure you are contracting the right muscles!
This specialist physiotherapy is available at some private hospitals with many private medical insurance schemes now covering this treatment. Some NHS hospitals now also offer specialist women’s health physiotherapy. You can ask your GP, gynaecologist or urologist to refer you or even self refer to Lulu or any other specialist women’s health physiotherapist.
Further information from Lulu at libikay444@gmail.com
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2 Comments
It upsets me that urine incontinence is the only subject tackled. Even more taboo is incontinence of the bowel. I was housebound for 15 years of my life with this devastating condition. I went to a lot of doctors who could not help me including one very eminent man who told me it was all in my mind. It was only my very kind GP that stopped me from wanting to end my life by saying he could tell something was wrong and that we would leave no stone unturned to help me. Turns out it was Bile Salt Malabsorption and as long as I stick to my medication regime and the occasional dose of loperimide, I am living again.
Elaine, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. What an awful time you must have had with the condition that caused you to be housebound for so many years. Thank goodness, your GP ‘held your hand’ just when you needed it the most. It is wonderful to read that you are living again. Your story will no doubt be an inspiration to many people who may be suffering in the same way. Thank you again Elaine and may you continue to enjoy life and to give hope to others. Warmest wishes