How To Fix Bladder Control Problems in Young Women Naturally
Why Young Women Struggle With Bladder Control Problems and 4 Ways to Naturally Manage Them
LEAKING URINE, AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER, AND LACK OF BLADDER CONTROL ARE ISSUES THAT CAN AFFECT YOUNG WOMEN.
Incontinence and bladder control issues don’t only affect middle-aged or older women. Young women, including those who have never been pregnant, may also experience bladder issues.
In fact, recent research has looked into the prevalence of bladder problems in women in their 20s and 30s. And one study found that about 1 in 10 women aged 22 to 27 report symptoms of urinary incontinence [1].
No matter your age, dealing with bladder issues can be a frustrating and embarrassing experience. And while it isn’t life-threatening, this condition can get in the way of your work, everyday tasks, sex life, and social activities.
We’ll explore the causes of incontinence and bladder control problems in young women and how these issues can be naturally treated.
Symptoms of Bladder Issues in Young Women
The most common type of incontinence experienced by young women is stress incontinence [2]. This happens when a physical action or movement puts extra stress on your bladder, causing it to leak urine. These activities include laughing, sneezing, coughing, lifting something heavy, or exercising.
Many young women also report symptoms of mixed incontinence, a combination of stress and urge incontinence. In other words, they tend to experience involuntary bladder leakages associated with a strong urge to pee and physical movement or exertion.
A lack of bladder control can impact how you go about your daily life. This issue may prevent you from being productive at work or school, discourage you from attending social gatherings, or get in the way of your hobbies and favorite sports. It may also interfere with sexual activities, as some young women notice leakages with sexual stimulation and orgasms.
Why do Some Young Women Experience Incontinence?
The following are some reasons why young women may experience bladder control issues and leakages:-
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- Sports activities: High-impact sports (i.e., volleyball, basketball, running, or cheerleading) exert abdominal pressure that can reduce structural support of the pelvic floor muscles. Thus, many female athletes, including those in high school or college, leak urine when laughing, training, or carrying out their usual daily activities [3].
- Hormonal fluctuations: Some women may notice that they tend to leak around the time of their period. Research shows that certain women report the worst symptoms during their period or right after. This may be due to cyclical changes in progesterone levels, which may impact how the lower urinary tract works [4].
- Pregnancy and childbirth: During pregnancy, bodily changes can put pressure on the bladder, causing an involuntary loss of control. Research has also shown that women who have delivered a child—by both vaginal delivery or C-section—are at a higher risk of experiencing post-partum incontinence compared to women who have not given birth [5].
- A medical condition or medication: Certain conditions, such as injuries to the spinal cord or a stroke, can lead to bladder control issues [6]. Scientists also suggest that specific medications can affect bladder control. For example, some allergy medications (antihistamines), anti-seizure medications, and oral birth control pills may increase your odds of experiencing incontinence [7, 8].
How Bladder Problems can be Naturally Treated in Young Women
Young women are often embarrassed to talk about bladder issues and often believe they are alone in their experiences.
While many women begin noticing bladder control problems at a young age, they shouldn’t have to struggle with this problem for a lifetime.
The fact is, you can naturally regain your bladder control by making changes to your lifestyle and habits. The following are some simple and practical tips to try out.
Try pelvic floor exercises
Since weakened pelvic floor muscles contribute to bladder problems, strengthening them through pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegels, is one way to regain control.
These exercises are simple to learn and perform and involve tightening and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles. Here’s a complete guide to performing pelvic floor exercises.
Modifying your diet
Certain foods and beverages are best avoided as they may irritate your bladder. Be cautious with common foods that can aggravate bladder issues, including coffee, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and alcohol.
On the flip side, you can adopt bladder-friendly dietary approaches, such as including more fiber in your diet. You may also increase your intake of certain foods thought to be beneficial for bladder health, for instance, bananas, apples, broccoli, cucumber, and green leafy vegetables.
Retraining your bladder
Bladder training is something simple you can pick up without the help of a coach or instructor. A simple bladder training program involves gradually increasing the time you wait before relieving yourself.
You can start by calculating the average period of time between each bathroom break. Add 15 minutes to that, and try your best to stick to this schedule. For example, if you relieve yourself every 2 hours, start scheduling at least 2 hours and 15 minutes between each time you urinate.
Then, gradually increase this every week or every couple of weeks until you reach the standard urination window of about 3-4 hours.
Try bladder control supplements
Various natural herbs can help improve your bladder health and function by supporting bladder muscle strength, enhancing your blood circulation, and regulating your hormone levels.
One such bladder control supplement is BetterWOMAN. This clinically-tested blend of Chinese herbs has been shown to improve bladder symptoms, with research participants reporting fewer bathroom trips, better bladder control, and more freedom in maintaining an active lifestyle.
Essentially, the BetterWOMAN supplement is a practical solution to regaining bladder control, empowering you to confidently take part in recreational and social activities and enjoy better productivity at work or school.
Final Thoughts: Bladder Control Problems in Young Women
Young women, including those in their teens, 20s, or 30s, may notice a lack of bladder control that most commonly leads to leaking urine during a physical movement or action. Based on study findings, women who participate actively in high-impact sports or have delivered a child may have a higher risk of bladder issues than other women.
The good news is that bladder control problems can be resolved. Performing Kegel exercises and making small yet meaningful changes to your dietary habits and choices can help you regain control over your bladder.
Bladder supplements, such as the BetterWOMAN supplement, may also help enhance bladder muscle strength, minimize bladder symptoms, and reduce urine leakages.
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