Bladder Weakness and Women

So ladies, how’s the old (or not so old) bladder doing? Still managing to hold it all in?

Any little leaks?…

You know the kind that sneak out when you laugh like a loon, drop kick your kids football, bounce on the trampoline or have a richter scale sneeze … actually it could be just a normal little sneeze that triggers it? Anyway you get my drift. Does your bladder ever let you down and let a bit out?!

Well if the answers yes, you’re not alone. Whilst we don’t like to use the term incontinence it turns out that bladder weakness is not constrained to ‘little old ladies’ it a very real problem in women of all ages and we need to start talking about it. It can happen at any time and at any age and it’s not necessarily permanent either.

In a One Poll survey of 2,000 UK women aged 18 and over (2015),  51 per cent of women admitted to experiencing light bladder weakness. These little leaks can be triggered by everyday activities such as sneezing (44 per cent), coughing (36 per cent) or laughing (32 per cent).

But despite it being such a common experience, more than a third (35 per cent) of women still consider light bladder weakness to be a taboo subject (although, 64 per cent would like to see it discussed more in magazines). Many women don’t even let their partners know that they have a problem.

So what can we use to manage those leaky moments when the last thing we need or want is to shove a great big incontinence pad between our legs? The answer is Lights by TENA . 

We all know that TENA manufacture incontinence products but did you know that that ‘lights by TENA’ are specifically designed for light bladder weakness? In fact, the thin, non-wing towels, manufactured by leading global hygiene company SCA, are just as discreet as regular sanitary protection, yet they absorb twice as fast as normal towels for a fresh and dry feeling that lasts.

Oh, and unlike other Brands TENA only manufacture products to deal with urinary difficulties so they kinda know what they’re talking about.

The absorbency quantities of each towel are:

• lights by TENA light liner – 20ml
• lights by TENA liner – 40ml
• lights by TENA liner (single wrapped)  – 40ml
• lights by TENA long liner – 50ml
• lights by TENA Ultra Towels – 138ml

Sadly, this taboo subject often stops women from doing many of the things they love which only adds to the stress and misery caused by the condition. It’s common to get leaks during and after pregnancy (69% of New Mums) and yet very few midwives and health visitors talk to women about their bladder and any control issues they might have!

So having got ourselves some protection we should also be doing regular Pelvic floor exercises (shifts uncomfortably and rasises eyes upwards).

TENA have a nifty little app called My PFF that’s free and fun to use. You can set reminders, monitor your progress and watch videos that explain what your pelvic floor is and how you exercise it. Plus a whole heap of other things but you need to have a play yourself to find out more.

Of course if things don’t improve are get worse you should consult with your Dr and the sooner the better. Don’t wait and don’t be embarrassed. There are a number of reasons why bladder weakness occurs and Dr’s are in the best position to advise you.

I discovered that my bladder can’t handle seat drops on a trampoline or a serious ‘pogo’ dance session any more (that was a surprise moment I can tell you!).

Well, that was how it used to be. Along with some regular lady muscle clenching and TENA lights liners I won’t have to restrict my trampoline manoeuvres at the next birthday party to a boring old star jump!

Happy Days!

Did you know you can get free samples of ‘lights by TENA’ to try out. Nip over to the website and order yours today!

I was invited up to London for a lights by TENA presentation and received some samples and a goodie bag. Some of the technical information and images in this post is supplied by lights by TENA, every else comes from me!