Bladder control issues affect women of all ages, but it’s more common as you get older, as well as during pregnancy and after childbirth. While symptoms can vary from being a minor inconvenience to a major issue that significantly disrupts daily life, the good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent and control urinary incontinence.
Whether you’re already dealing with urinary leakage or you’d like to avoid it, board-certified gynecologist Alan B. Patterson, MD, has specialized training to improve the integrity of your pelvic floor, restore function, and combat urinary incontinence. Here’s what you should know.
Dr. Patterson has special training to provide pelvic floor physical therapy, which involves a combination or treatments to improve pelvic floor function. This targeted approach aims to strengthen and tighten the pelvic floor.
These muscles support your bladder, uterus and bowels, and keeping them strong helps keep bladder leaks at bay. If these muscles weaken, which can happen due to pregnancy, childbirth, or aging, bladder leaks are more likely to happen.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can restore proper pelvic floor muscle function, helping to prevent or reduce urine leakage. Dr. Patterson uses a combination of techniques, such as deep tissue massage, trigger point release, and nerve release to address the specific needs of each patient. These treatments improve pelvic muscle tone and support, which are essential for maintaining bladder control.
Many of our patients report significant improvement after starting pelvic floor physical therapy. Dr. Patterson’s specialized training ensures that each patient receives a personalized plan tailored to their symptoms and needs.
Exercises like Kegels can further strengthen the pelvic muscles. Kegel exercises are a simple and effective way to strengthen the pelvic muscles, and keep them strong. To perform Kegels, contract your pelvic floor muscles (as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine) for a few seconds, then relax.
Repeating this exercise several times a day can help improve muscle strength and bladder control. You can do Kegels anytime, whether you’re sitting at your desk or relaxing at home. Check out this how-to guide for more detailed information on how to perform Kegels.
Carrying excess weight is a well-known risk factor for stress incontinence, where urine leaks during activities like coughing, laughing, or exercising. The extra weight puts added pressure on your bladder and pelvic muscles, increasing the risk of urinary incontinence. Losing excess weight, even just a few pounds, can ease this pressure and help prevent bladder problems.
Don’t discount the influence of what you eat when it comes to bladder control. Following a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains not only promotes general health, but can also play a role in bladder health.
What’s more, certain foods can irritate the bladder and worsen bladder control issues. Common culprits include:
While you don’t need to avoid these entirely, reducing your intake or monitoring how your body responds can help. Drinking plenty of water is also important for bladder health, but be mindful not to overdo it, as consuming too much fluid can overwhelm the bladder.
Physical activity is essential for maintaining overall health, but it’s also beneficial for bladder control. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and supports proper pelvic floor function. However, if you already have bladder control issues, keep in mind that high-impact activities like running can put additional strain on the pelvic floor.
Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga can improve overall fitness while protecting your bladder health. If you’re unsure which activities are best for you, Dr. Patterson can provide individualized recommendations.
Surgical therapy
If you have stress urinary incontinence, meaning you lose urine when you cough or sneeze or strain, and the above measures do not work, then sometimes you may need an outpatient surgery procedure to fix your problems. Dr Patterson no longer does this surgery but he can refer you to the best doctors who do this surgery.
Don’t wait until bladder control problems negatively impact your day-to-day life. Bladder problems can cause you to feel anxious and avoid social situations, but you can regain and maintain control.
Reach out to our team to schedule a visit with Dr. Patterson. We offer telehealth visits from the comfort of your home or office, and in-person visits at our Coral Springs, Florida, office.
