Advice for Bladder Control Issues When Running

[Anonymous]

After I had my first son, I started having bladder control issues when exercising, sneezing, coughing, etc. I’ve recently started running again, and my bladder control issues really bother me. I just run on a treadmill in my basement for now, so its not that big of a deal, but I’d like to be able to go outside or to an Orange Theory fitness class without being embarrassed. I looked into getting surgery to correct this, but I’m not ready to go that route yet.

Do any other mom’s in the same boat have any solutions? I use pads but they only work so well. Has anyone tried those tampon like things that are supposed to help with bladder control? Does anyone have any moisture wicking running tights that work really well to disguise the problem all together?
Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Thinx Period panties. They're great for this.

[Anonymous]

You need to see a pelvic floor therapist. You have to learn how to activate those muscles again. Disguising the problem isn't going to help and it will only get worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to see a pelvic floor therapist. You have to learn how to activate those muscles again. Disguising the problem isn't going to help and it will only get worse.

+1

Please see a pelvic floor PT. Even if incontinence is common among women, it's not a sign of good health.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Poise pads are great - they make multiple thicknesses. Mine also got better over time.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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.

Tampon. Try it. A fancier term for this use is ‘pessary’ & yes I had that discussion with another lady in the bathroom at a soccer game

[Anonymous]

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.

Tampon. Try it. A fancier term for this use is ‘pessary’ & yes I had that discussion with another lady in the bathroom at a soccer game

https://www.poise.com/en-us/products/impressa/introduction?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk_-30un-3AIVwiaGCh0xoAEMEAAYAiAAEgIidfD_BwE

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Why is it poor health?

[Anonymous]

Fellow runner here. First, I do think you should go to a pelvic floor PT. They don’t work magic, but it does teach you how to properly use those muscles. I had never really had to think about them until they became really weak.

Second, try different things. I’ve found that I now have to run in the morning and need to limit my liquid intake beforehand (not severely). Also, my gait is different on the treadmill and I lean more on a treadmill than outside. There are also certain times of the month (soon after my period) where I’m more likely to lean.

Finally, wear only black shorts/tights; it doesn’t show the leakage as much. And just revel in the humility. Keep running!!

[Anonymous]

I am a sporadic runner so I find when I begin training this is often a problem but that I must be working those muscles too as I get in better shape because it usually goes away. A tampon works really well as possible have noted. I did not wear one when I ran a half marathon last year and completely, utterly soaked myself. I was surprised as it had not been a problem in the weeks leading up to the race, and so I didn’t wear a tampon. Loads of people prob noticed but I was dryish by the time I got to the end. Meh.

[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.

+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