Do you leak when you sneeze?
Do you find yourself leaking urine when you sneeze, cough, laugh, run, etc.? Not being able to leave the house without having to bring extra incontinence pads and a change of clothes?
Have you stopped doing the activities you love, in fear you might leak in public?
In this blog we will explore some of the reasons this may be happening and what you can do to help improve the leaking. No one should have to suffer in silence or to feel embarrassed. It is very common but not normal (regardless of what certain incontinence pad companies would want you to think).
Why do I leak urine when I sneeze?
Leaking when you sneeze, laugh, or cough is a sign of stress incontinence which is a form of urinary incontinence. So, what is stress incontinence? It happens when physical activity such as coughing, sneezing laughing, etc. puts pressure or stress on your bladder, this then causes you to leak urine.
Can I bounce on the trampoline with incontinence?
Whether your inner child is screaming at you when the tempting sight of a trampoline or bouncy castle is there or you want to join the young ones and show them your best trick, incontinence can make that tricky. Even though it doesn’t completely stop you from doing so it will make you think twice! Jumping can often encourage those leak moments if your pelvic floor muscles are weak. Read on to find out how you can enjoy the trampoline without fear of leaking.
What are the symptoms of stress incontinence?
When you have stress incontinence you may leak in the following situations:
- When you cough or sneeze
- Laugh
- Bend over
- Have sex
- Lift something heavy
- Exercise
What causes stress incontinence?
Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles that support the urethra (also known as your pelvic floor muscles) alongside the muscles that control the release of urine become weak. Your bladder expands as it fills with urine, normally the short tube that carries urine out of the body will remain closed when the bladder expands but when the muscles have weakened this tube is less likely to remain closed when under pressure, and this then leads to urine leakage. There are life-changing events and other factors that can weaken your pelvic floor muscles these can include:
- Childbirth – during childbirth the damage of tissue or nerves can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, incontinence due to this can occur soon after delivery or years later.
- Illness that can cause chronic coughing.
- Smoking.
- High impact activities.
- Age.
- Bodyweight.
- Previous surgeries.
How can I stop leaking urine?
The main thing you can do is strengthen your pelvic floor, keeping the hammock for your organs strong will reduce stress and reduce the risk of leakage.
The easiest way to improve the strength of the pelvic floor is regular pelvic floor exercises. If you can regularly exercise the pelvic floor muscles you will reduce the risk of leakage.
How can I exercise it you may ask… the answer is simple Kegels!
So, what is a Kegel?
A Kegel is an exercise designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, they are pelvic floor exercises. Kegels can not only help prevent urine leakage but can also prevent gas or an accidental stool pass. They can also help improve orgasms and sensations during sex. Kegels get their name from their inventor, Arnold Kegel. The American gynecologist invented the Kegel exercise as a non-surgical way of treating urinary incontinence.
What difference can Kegel weights make?
Using a Kegel weight when exercising your pelvic floor can make a huge difference in your journey to a stronger pelvic floor. The weights can ensure the correct muscles are being engaged when you are exercising. As you progress you can increase the weight as your pelvic floor becomes stronger. If you would like to know more about Kegel Weights read our previous blog here Everything You Need To Know About Kegel Weights.
Our Kegel Weights Kit comes with 4 different weights, a full 6 step exercise programme, a free large eBook, and full support from our team. You also get access to a large closed Facebook group to talk and get support from women just like you.
If you are struggling with stress incontinence and would like to improve the strength of your pelvic floor to reduce leaks then our Kegel Kit is the perfect starting point. We will help you tone, tighten and strengthen the pelvic floor fast. Shop our Kegel Weights Kit Here - Pelvic Floor Toner For Women. As Heard on the Chris Evans Show – SecretWhispers™.