Can you really improve bladder control?
For this article on the 4 tips to Improve Bladder Control, I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for Depend. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with Depend and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.
Anyone can improve bladder control!
Millions of Americans have bladder control issues, also known as incontinence. What many people do not realize is that the condition can affect anyone – not just older people. In fact, bladder control issues can also affect young people, particularly women who have given birth or men who have been treated for prostate cancer, but there are steps you can take to improve bladder control.
I previously discussed the different types of urinary incontinence but it’s also important to discuss the ways to manage bladder control issues. After all, a weakened or overactive bladder doesn’t mean you can’t live your life!
Tips to improve bladder control:
- Make changes that will help prevent accidents. For instance, wear clothing that makes it easy to use the bathroom. When the urge strikes you, you don’t want to have to fuss with uncooperative clothing. Make it easy to make it to the bathroom. Is the pathway clear and well-lit? You don’t want to have to maneuver through a dark hallway or around furniture when you need to go. Empty your bladder before going to bed, before car trips, before appointments, etc.
- Watch what you eat. Certain foods and beverages can irritate your bladder. Consider removing trigger foods (and drinks), such as caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, acidic beverages and foods, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and hot spices. If any of these trigger urinary incontinence, stay away from them!
- Minimize odors. Stay hydrated by drinking six to seven 8 oz. glasses of water each day. If you’re not hydrated, your urine will be more concentrated and it will have a stronger smell. It can also irritate the lining of your urethra and bladder. You can also consider taking urine-deodorizing tablets, such as vitamin C or supplements. In addition, drinking apple, pear, cherry, or other non-citrus juices can help.
- Exercise your pelvic floor muscles. Kegels — which can be done anywhere, anytime — can help keep your pelvic floor strong. That can help with feelings of urgency, the frequent need to urinate, and accidents.
Source:
In addition, lifestyle expert Mar Jennings suggests:
If you experience bladder control issues, there are products available that provide a discreet and comfortable fit, like Depend Underwear with new Fit-Flex protection, which features more Lycra strands, to help give you the freedom and confidence you need to be active every day.
Check out these real life insights from others who suffer from bladder control issues: .
Depend Underwear with Fit-Flex protection can definitely help you improve bladder control issues. You’ll appreciate the underwear-like waistband (which is soft!), the lycra strands that provide comfort and smooth fit, the great flexibility which allows you to be active, and the absorbency and odor control.
Speaking of being active, Depend helps you maintain your normal lifestyle. If you enjoy running or yoga or bicycling (or whatever suits you!), Depend Underwear with Fit Flex protection allow you to do that and more. Now there is no reason for bladder control issues to curb your activities.
These Depend Underwear have oval leg openings, which are designed specifically for the shape of women’s legs. They think of everything!
If you, or someone you care about, are one of the 25 million Americans affected by incontinence, you will want to give Depend Fit Flex Underwear a try. You can get a free sample of Depend Underwear with Fit Flex protection and check out the comfort and fit — and protection — for yourself.
Great tips. I love the baggy clothes one. After my hysterectomy I’ve not been able to wear anything that even fits perfect near my belly bc the urge comes right away. It’s bn 10 years and u can’t even have my under clothes even close
Great tips! Being 50 I can really relate..It seems lately I cannot even hear running water without getting the urge to pee..
Of course I would pick this one but unfortunately its probably the one I needed to read 🙂 I had heard most of the tips but even though I knew drinking lots of water was a must & pretty much helps with everything I didn’t realize that concentrated pee could irritate the lining of your urethra and bladder. Thank you for the information even if you think you know what you need to about a subject there is always something to learn or be reminded of
Thanks for the tips. I will be trying to exercise to hopefully prevent any bladder problems.
Sadly none of the tips have worked for me. I have had moderate incontinence for several years now. As far as the Depends underwear, no….no diapers for me lol. I use the new Always Discreet pads and so far I have really liked them. I have seen a Dr about my issues with incontinence and he suggested surgery. I’m leery of surgery though. My mom had a bladder tack done years ago and it didn’t help at all. The doc said that they have made great strides since then and he guarantees it would help me but I’m still not convinced. I guess some day I could do it but surgery is such an invasive thing to do.
I have the problem of holding it, and waiting too long…so, when I do laugh or sneeze or cough, I”m doomed!!
Shelley thankyou for all the tips you gave for Bladder Control! I have had this problem for many years and it just got worse.. Years ago I went through a series of tests to see if something else was causing this problem! Everything was negative! The Dr told me that mine was due to giving Birth to my 3 Girls!! I was given a prescription for a medicine that I have taken for so long, they don’t do much good anymore! I will check out the Depends under wear to see how well they work for me!! I like that the leg openings are oval for the shape of a woman’s thigh! I Never new that! The ones I wear now the leg openings are big and that definitely causes me some problems. Thankyou for Sharing this important news!!
Hi Carol! Glad this helped you. We try to bring news to our readers that solve problems. Shelley
I got pretty lucky to avoid this problem after my first son!! Kegels for days lol!!
Most people both men & women have leakage issues as they get older. They do talk about it more than before which is helpful. There are lots of nice products out now . thanks for the info
Always informative tips from you!
This is the topic worth discussing – Thank you for doing that
I’m glad you’re talking about this. It’s important and women shouldn’t be embarrassed. At one time or another, it can happen to all of us!
I am trying to focus a little more on our segment when it comes to health! Thanks for the encouragement Anne! The Chief Blonde, Shelley
I hear mixed advice about kegels. A urogynecologist I know commented that they really don’t help!? But others seem to feel they do. Plus kegels are recommended in keeping the pelvic floor tight and stimulate blood flow to vaginal tissues–good for our bodies beyond the bladder control issue!
I agree Thorton that the Kegels are important for the pelvic floor so why not do them anyway? The Chief Blonde, Shelley
Great reminder to drink more water. And focus on that “root lock” in yoga class!
What is this “Root LOck” you speak of Lori? The Chief Blonde, Shelley
What we call Kegel muscles were the “mula bandha” in ancient Sanskrit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mula_Bandha
a/k/a “root lock,” or tightening at the root chakra.
Okay, Thanks for the enlightenment. Shelley
You post “Depend Underwear with Fit-Flex protection can definitely help you improve bladder control issues.”
How does it improve your bladder control?
it helps with the leakage when other control measures aren’t working . Provides you with a safety net.
Chocolate and hot spices can irritate your bladder? Oh, that’s not happy news.
Interesting re: carbonation comment above. I don’t drink that much soda but I may try to drink less of it now.
Well, considering I’m in my third trimester… I just CANNOT hold it right now! But I can use these tips when I’m done 🙂
I haven’t had soda since I had the mother of all bladder infections and the urologist told me that carbonation was one of the worst things for the bladder. It’s been like 30 years….and I haven’t missed it.
Kegels are really useful and so easy that most people over-complicate it. I was just talking to my girlfriend the other day and she seemed to think they were a mystical exercise you had to practice at just to do. Whether you’ve just had a baby, or are merely gracefully aging, they are great for helping fight leaks and regaining bladder strength.