Advice for Bladder Control Issues When Running

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mid-40s here with 2 kids, and I play soccer in a competitive league a couple nights a week. I had games where my shorts would be completely pee-soaked even with wearing a pad. I was also sweating alot so hoped it wasn't completely obvious what had happened. I switched to actual incontinence pads and it makes so much difference as far as holding the moisture -- period pads just aren't the same. At some point I think I will need to do some kind of procedure to tighten things up, but for now this works for me to be able to sprint and run and be more confident.

Why would you not see a pelvic floor PT about this problem? Like, now?

I genuinely do not understand.

here's an idea: pelvic floor PT isn't necessarily curative. it's not magic. for many, probably most women, all the little isotonic exercises in the world aren't going to correct the problem that results from having 2 or 3 giant babies + jumping up and down in _hard core_ manner.

This is true. I saw a PT and did therapy for a few months and I still have leakage issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mid-40s here with 2 kids, and I play soccer in a competitive league a couple nights a week. I had games where my shorts would be completely pee-soaked even with wearing a pad. I was also sweating alot so hoped it wasn't completely obvious what had happened. I switched to actual incontinence pads and it makes so much difference as far as holding the moisture -- period pads just aren't the same. At some point I think I will need to do some kind of procedure to tighten things up, but for now this works for me to be able to sprint and run and be more confident.

Why would you not see a pelvic floor PT about this problem? Like, now?

I genuinely do not understand.

here's an idea: pelvic floor PT isn't necessarily curative. it's not magic. for many, probably most women, all the little isotonic exercises in the world aren't going to correct the problem that results from having 2 or 3 giant babies + jumping up and down in _hard core_ manner.

+1 I have the same issue as op and pelvic floor therapy (over 6 months) didn’t do a damn thing to stop the peeing. Sure it may have other benefits but it’s not a cure all for everyone and isn’t an intstant fix for anyone. It’s also really impacted my working out op - I keep meaning to try impressesa, if you do let me know if it worked for you

So because something isn't a panacea, you don't bother at all? Or you try it and, if it doesn't work, throw your hands up and quit? Pelvic floor PT is a first step. There are options beyond that, e.g., seeing a urogynecologist. Or even modifying your workouts? I workout hard, daily, so I get the importance of exercise, but there are SO many options out there that won't exacerbate pelvic floor dysfunction.

I mean, if I'm doing something optional that is causing me significant hip pain and, over time, damage to the extent I might need a hip replacement, I'm not going to keep doing it. Mostly because I want to be as functional and independent as possible as I age, for myself and my loved ones.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for your replies. I may look into pelvic floor therapy at some point. I've been holding off since I have so little time, and for now I workout at home exclusively and I don't really care if I pee myself in the privacy of my own basement.

I'll try using a tampon and see if that works. I bought some CVS incontinence pads and used one last night when I ran on the treadmill and it worked really well.

[Anonymous]

OP here - also there is nothing about this that indicates "bad health." It is a very normal part of having children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - also there is nothing about this that indicates "bad health." It is a very normal part of having children.

That's absolutely not true. Just because it's normative, i.e., common, doesn't mean it's healthy. You don't want to make time, fine, but don't lie to yourself.

[Anonymous]

I struggled for years with this, even with the therapy. I had a urethral sling put in this spring and it has improved my quality of life substantially. Don’t rule it out but wait until you are totally done having kids.

It also cured my frequent urination issues. Amazingly freeing!

[Anonymous]

I agree that PT isn't a cure-all, but I do think there are things that can be done to make the issue better and not worse. Continuing to do high impact exercises when your pelvic floor is in bad shape are going to make it worse, period. If you don't have the time to see a PT you could look into an exercise system like Mutu to add to your running routine. I feel weird about my evangelism where Mutu is concerned, but I had incontinence on top of diastasis recti and doing the mutu exercises re-taught me how to use my core and pelvic floor muscles in a way that greatlly improved those issues. I do have a friend who also did it religiously and still needed surgery, but it's a good jumping-off point.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Would a menstrual cup work as well? I use them instead of tampons. Wonder if it could have same result. I’ll trybit b

[Anonymous]

I think all women who have had babies need to do pelvic floor therapy.

PT helped my issues, but after all that, I still gave up running because it was just too hard on my body overall (knees, hips, etc). I switched to a Peloton and I love it. It's so much kinder on my body and the workouts are great.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. I JUST talked to my OB about this last week. So I'm an avid runner and thankfully it hasn't bothered me doing that, but it has become a HUGE problem in a class I take where we have to jump rope. Also a sneeze on a full bladder isn't fun...

Anyway, a few weeks ago I started wearing the incontinence pads when I would go to the class with the jump ropes and it has helped me so much with my confidence and being able to keep up in class.

Also, as I mentioned I did talk to my OB and she said the best thing I can do is every day during my commute to work just do old fashioned kegals. It's all about building strength back. She said it'll take time like building any muscle, so that's what I'm trying right now. But the pads really have been a life saver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that PT isn't a cure-all, but I do think there are things that can be done to make the issue better and not worse. Continuing to do high impact exercises when your pelvic floor is in bad shape are going to make it worse, period. If you don't have the time to see a PT you could look into an exercise system like Mutu to add to your running routine. I feel weird about my evangelism where Mutu is concerned, but I had incontinence on top of diastasis recti and doing the mutu exercises re-taught me how to use my core and pelvic floor muscles in a way that greatlly improved those issues. I do have a friend who also did it religiously and still needed surgery, but it's a good jumping-off point.

+1 for Mutu. I’ve been using it, both during my second pregnancy and post partum. More than just helping with pelvic floor, it’s also given me back a lot of core strength and helped with some back and pelvic pain I was having during running after my first pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wear a tampon when exercising. It expands and helps keep things ‘held in’. Try it.

I thought using tampons not during a period was a really bad idea, no?

OP is having trouble controlling her bladder/pee, right? So the urethra. Tampons dont go there.

So why are people suggesting tampons and menstrual cups?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wear a tampon when exercising. It expands and helps keep things ‘held in’. Try it.

I thought using tampons not during a period was a really bad idea, no?

OP is having trouble controlling her bladder/pee, right? So the urethra. Tampons dont go there.

So why are people suggesting tampons and menstrual cups?

The bladder control “tampon” isn’t really a tampon. It’s non absorbent support for the bladder through the vaginal wall. If women are going to try this they need the bladder control version, and not use a period tampon.

I’ve had bladder control issues. I’ve don’t pelvic floor therapy but it’s not a cure all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wear a tampon when exercising. It expands and helps keep things ‘held in’. Try it.

I thought using tampons not during a period was a really bad idea, no?

OP is having trouble controlling her bladder/pee, right? So the urethra. Tampons dont go there.

So why are people suggesting tampons and menstrual cups?

The bladder control “tampon” isn’t really a tampon. It’s non absorbent support for the bladder through the vaginal wall. If women are going to try this they need the bladder control version, and not use a period tampon.

I’ve had bladder control issues. I’ve don’t pelvic floor therapy but it’s not a cure all.

Sorry, I’ve done pelvic floor therapy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP. I JUST talked to my OB about this last week. So I'm an avid runner and thankfully it hasn't bothered me doing that, but it has become a HUGE problem in a class I take where we have to jump rope. Also a sneeze on a full bladder isn't fun...

Anyway, a few weeks ago I started wearing the incontinence pads when I would go to the class with the jump ropes and it has helped me so much with my confidence and being able to keep up in class.

Also, as I mentioned I did talk to my OB and she said the best thing I can do is every day during my commute to work just do old fashioned kegals. It's all about building strength back. She said it'll take time like building any muscle, so that's what I'm trying right now. But the pads really have been a life saver.

This is untrue. Kegels are only effective for women who need to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and should not be dispensed as advice for all cases. The pelvic floor must also be able to relax, if you arent able to relax it fully then it becomes fatigued and upon pressure from running/jumping it will cause it to relax, hence, your leakage problem.

I mean imagine have your calf engaged ALL THE TIME. You would eventually either cramp or it would spasm. Add activity on that and what would happen is your calf would give way due to fatigue.

I would look into Julie Wieb https://www.juliewiebept.com/

Good luck OP