In addition to feeling as though you have lost control of your body, urinary incontinence is embarrassing. Fortunately, we can help you improve this humiliating condition. There are many lifestyle changes and positive treatments you can take advantage of to regain control. What is bladder training for urinary incontinence? Let’s explore the definition and some treatment options.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a common, embarrassing problem involving the loss of bladder control. The severity ranges from moderate to severe. In moderate incontinence you may have leakage when you sneeze or cough. Severe urinary incontinence is a sudden, strong urge to urinate; so much so that you don’t make it to the bathroom in time.

This condition is not inevitable, although it does occur more often as people get older. For most people, there are treatments like bladder training for urinary incontinence, and dietary and lifestyle changes.

Most Common Types of Female Incontinence

While some women have a combination of both, urge incontinence and stress incontinence are the two most common types of incontinence for women.

• Urge incontinence occurs when a person suddenly has the urge to urinate so much that they cannot make it to the restroom in time.
• Stress incontinence happens when pressure is exerted on the pelvic area like with lifting something heavy, laughing, coughing or sneezing.

Bladder training is effective for both of these types of urinary continences, as well as mixed incontinence (combination of both types).

Purpose Of Bladder Training For Urinary Incontinence Entails

The primary purpose of bladder training is to gain control over the bodily function. And this is accomplished by doing these 3 things:

• Increase the amount of urine your bladder can hold.
• Improve control over the urge to urinate.
• Increase the length of time between bathroom visits.

In addition to these three goals, you should also keep a diary. For instance, when you have the urge to urinate, leak, and/or actually urinate. This gives both you and your OB-GYN a starting point from which to move forward.

Bladder Training Methods

There are several methods that your OB-GYN may suggest to you, including medications, and let you know the order to try them. Here are three bladder training methods:

(1) Schedule Bathroom Visits

Review your diary, then decide how often you will going to the restroom. You could start by adding 15 minutes longer. If you go to the restroom every 1.5 hours, wait until 1.45, even if you don’t feel the need to go, try anyway. Then gradually add more time in between restroom visits.

(2) Delay Urination

Whenever you fee the urge to urinate, Waite 5 minutes before you go. Then slowly increase the time between the urge and when you actually go to the restroom. The idea is to hold on at least 3 or 4 hours between urinating.

Focus your attention on other things beside urinating. You could try deep breathing or counting to 100. When you feel you can’t hold it any longer, go to the restroom. After the visit, resume your scheduled times to go.

(3) Kegel Exercises

Combined with the other two practices, Kegel exercises can make a big difference. To stop urinating, focus on the muscles in your pelvis by holding that contraction for 5 seconds. Then, release for 5 seconds. Gradually increase to 10-second holds and releases. Lastly, do 3 sets of 10-second holds and releases several times a day.

Other Things That Help Incontinence

• Avoid foods with acid, spicy foods, caffeine, tomatoes and alcohol.
• Don’t drink liquids before bedtime.
• Go to the bathroom right before bedtime.
• Ask your OB-GYN at Riverwalk Women’s Health about other treatment options that might help.

When you start to notice progress, compare your diary notes. And most importantly, don’t give up because relief IS possible.