Is this only an issue when you are exercising? Just curious, several years ago when I used a treadmill at home, after about five minutes I always had to use the restroom, without fail. It was the only time I had this issue.
Without getting too personal (not that this thread isn’t personal already) about your other medical history, how is your blood sugar? Frequent/sudden urination is sometimes a symptom of diabetes, and it is possible that your exercising is causing a spike/drop in your blood sugar (different people’s sugar levels react differently to exercise)
Please seek a qualified medical opinion.
It really only occurs when I exercise, mainly walking. I’ve just noticed it’s more pronounced in the past year to 18 months. I was pre diabetic, but I have it under control.
I meant to add, kudos to you for exercising, and special kudos to your DH for his running back to get the car to help you out.
Ok, went to the doc. She said my Vajaja has thinned and my bladder is prolapsing and touching the wall. Since I don’t leak, she thinks pelvic exercises would really benefit and is sending me to a physical therapist that specializes in that. If I want medicine to help with the sensation to urinate, she will prescribe it. But I don’t want to do that yet. She said if after all this if I’m still having issues, she’ll send me to have my bladder checked, where they fill it, etc. Also, she’s not concerned with my stomach extending, she said that is normal at my age. Keep a food diary and see what aggravates it more. I’ve noticed it’s been better since I’ve stopped eating cheese. I still eat my yogurt though. We will see.
I bought a great book online about bladder care for women. You have to take a mulitpronged approach: only drink good liquids, increase fluids, kegels, behaviour mod for when you need to pee, etc. Called : The art of control; a woman’s guide to bladder care
Thanks, I’ll look for it!
I used the pStyle on a recent camping/hiking trip, and I was very satisfied. It made peeing on a long hike fast and comfortable and discrete.
The detailed reviews at Amazon convinced me to try this particular brand over others and I’m glad I did.
@conmama Did you doctor suggest testing for female hormone levels or suggest supplementing?
I’d avoid caffeine and sodium. Increased blood flow while exercising is going to increase your urine production. Is it every type of exercise? I find that the need to urinate has an inverse relation to the intensity of the exercise.
Yes, every type of exercise. I don’t drink much caffeine. My bladder is not supported the way it should be anymore, so it’s pressing and that’s what’s causing my problems.
@conmama , I have a somewhat similar situation and have found that HRT has helped although it hasn’t completely eliminated the problem. Estrace cream, in particular, has been beneficial - just in case you want to discuss that option with your doctor if things don’t improve for you. I also now wear disposable undergarments whenever I leave the house. They’ve been “necessary” only about once a year, but provide a good deal of peace of mind. The other approaches, such as exercises, haven’t helped much. Surgery has been suggested repeatedly, but I have a poor track record with over long recuperation, excess scar tissue and adhesions so I’m in no hurry to try it.
I did read that one of the issues is that with menopause comes low estrogen, which thins the vaginal walls. Because of this thinning, it doesn’t support the bladder the way it should. I read on the internet that topical estrogen seems to help with that thinning. However, my problem is the breast cancer risk on HRT that I’ve read about. It did say that the risk seems less with topical applications vs. oral. I think it is somethink I will investigate more. I’m also open to wearing something discrete for long walks.
@conmama - I would suggest a visit to a urologist. They can subscribe a compounded estrogen cream that might help. By compounding it can have less estrogen. What you need for bladder issues is different than what you want for vaginal dryness.
Ok, thanks! I don’t have dryness.
I suggest you see a urogynocologist.
Yes, a urogyn doc can take a quick peek inside the bladder to rule out any issues. Cystoscopy is what this is called. FWIW, it could be another organ that encroaches on your bladder… Like what happens during pregnancy.
Shortly after your distension thread, I was at a wellcheck for one of my kids. The pediatrician is more like an old friend and she talked about her own stomach issues, which are similar to my D’s. She said it took her so long, even as a doctor, to figure out that foods were causing her issues with bloating. Dairy is the biggest trigger, but she can use lactaid pills when she’ll be in a situation where it will be hard to avoid dairy, like a party. She also realized that gluten also affects her, without having celiac.
She wants my D to try the pills but my D would rather deal have gas. Lol.
Thanks everyone. I think I will check with a urologist or the other, also. Don’t need to leave any stones unturned.
Urogynecologist = urologist for women. You only need to see the former.
It is also worthwhile taking a bigger picture approach to pelvic floor exercise, right to the entire core. Planks, for example. Kegels are just a micro approach. If you don’t do core exercise properly, it is a great time to start. Hips, glutes, posture, lower back exercise etc. all will help.I think the physio with an interest in incontinence issues is the right start. Save the GU for later. If you haven’t, google some anatomy. Visualising what is where is helpful.