43 here and just started having a new symptom (oh, joy). Throughout the day — especially when laughing hard, running, or otherwise straining — I’ve noticed small amounts of urine dribbling out. I’m hoping that this is a temporary or perhaps addressable symptom. For example, I’ve read that kegels can help. Is this true, has anyone tried them consistently and did they turn off the leaks? God I hope so… ? ? ?– Ashley, Richmond
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17Real experiences shared by the community, from the original discussion to today.
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Robin5 years ago
Hello Ashley, Yes!! Kegel exercises help to strengthen your pelvic floor. It was recommended by my obgyn to do them after I had my daughter. I do them a lot more now, because I went into menopause a year after I had my daughter. You can do them as frequently as you want. The coolest part is, no one will ever know you're doing them. Good luck and Take care
Lady Dan5 years ago
The Kegel exercises did nothing for me. I am learning to live with the dripping. I do not understand why I feel intense bursting to go as soon as I am approaching home or a loo.
Shazreplying to Lady Dan5 years ago
It takes a number of days practice this type of exercise. So give it another go and your body time to learn a new exercise
Mariareplying to Lady Dan5 years ago
I’m the same - absolutely fine, don’t need a wee. Key in the door - busting. I’ve found counting helps, as I get close to home I tell myself I can have a wee when I’ve counted to 500 - I never need to get all the way to 500 but it seems to stave off the urgency.
Barbreplying to Maria5 years ago
It’s psychological, google it. The closer you get to home the stronger the urge.
Yvonnereplying to Lady Dan5 years ago
I had a TVT-operation done over the day and it has worked like magic. I now run again! Brought half of my life back!
JEreplying to Lady Dan5 years ago
I was having the the same issue, went to a Pelvic floor Physical Therapist. She said it was urgency incontinence. The exercises she had me do were very helpful. Highly advise seeing a specialist to find out your personal needs.
Shaz5 years ago
Hi. I was a yoga teacher for many years. Am now 60 1/2 ? and before and after having my two kids now adults, I always did 50 pelvic floor exercises a night. In my classes I even had the men become aware of this set of muscles. It’s never too late to start this exercise. If you check with your GP. I’m sure you and many others will find this little exercise very beneficial. Especially if you like me, enjoy a good joke
MT5 years ago
I’m 53 and have been doing levels for 5 years. It has helped quite a bit with leaking. It’s still no match for a sneeze but much better than before. I try to do 10 at every stoplight but now that I’m not driving as much I need to remind myself to do them while dialing in for conference calls! They do make me laugh which we all need right now. As a side benefit I was pleasantly surprised by how much better my bum started to look!!
Hope5 years ago
Hi Ashley, have a google of Kegel8 it’s a company that makes devices that exercises our kegals properly as often we might not be doing it properly. I’ve invested in one as having problems at night waking 2 to go for a wee. Another unfortunate side effect of the dropping of oestrogen is that it affects our bladders. I spent many hours investigating what was best to try as had been doing the pelvic floor at home but not sure I’d been doing it right. I bought the Kegel8 ultra 20 and it’s got lots of programs for various issues. Have a read up and read all the reviews, there are a lot of ladies who have found it amazing for problems like yours and worse. Good luck ?
Kerry5 years ago
This happens to me too! I’m 49 and premenopausal. Its like salt in the wounds! I’ll feel I have to go and I’ll have a hard time making it to the pot before a little trickle out. Its a race for time. I’m comforted to hear this is part of the cycle of things, and will try kegels. I did them when i was pregnant and not since. My deliveries were both a breeze (relatively) and i think that practice contributed, although I’m not sure how it would help to strengthen my bladder. Willing to try!
MC5 years ago
Not every woman benefits from Kegels. Find a pelvic floor specialist to evaluate what you need. I found that my pelvic floor was too tight & kegels were actually making it worse! I had to go through pelvic floor physical therapy to learn how to loosen the muscles. A great site that helped me with getting up in the middle of the night is: http://www.myconfidentbladder.com/ Good luck!
KM5 years ago
I want to strongly second MC’s response. Kegels are not the solution for everyone. I too had an over tighter pelvic floor and a PF physical therapist was a life saver. I also had a prolapsed uterus and her services helped me postpone surgery. I eventually had to have a hysterectomy (they left my ovaries in though!) but that’s a story for another day. Also there are many excellent online PFPTs putting out great info to supplement in person care. Here are my favs: https://www.juliewiebept.com/ https://pelvicguru.com/
Dee5 years ago
YES this is true. Kegels are not the blanket answer for everyone. I was experiencing having to go to the bathroom really urgently out of the blue. I tried kegels because everyone said to, and that made my back pain worse. A pelvic PT said I had a muscle imbalance and was actually tensing up these muscles inadvertently, so I needed to learn to relax that area before attempting kagels. I strongly suggest a pelvic PT to guide you through this so you know you are approaching it correctly
Beth5 years ago
Just today, I was working... I’m a hairdresser and I thought during a men’s haircut that my cycle may have just showed up even though it’s been 5 months since I have had any and I excused myself to find that it was actually urine. I wasn’t even laughing! ? I’m officially old @51
Fi fi5 years ago
I find that my pranic for is ok ( sneezing aside) most of the time unless I’m premenstrual , then I leak hugely. Anyone else? Or anyone know why?
Tasha5 years ago
I highly recommend products like Modibodi — they and others have a range of “period proof” and “leakproof” underwear. I hated what the endless pantyliners did to that fragile area. These are breathable and comfy!