Adult incontinence is a voluntary loss of urine and varies from mild to moderate to severe. There are two different types: urge incontinence and stress incontinence. Urge incontinence is when someone can’t control the urge to go to the toilet and find they are rushing to clear their bladder before they go anywhere, while stress incontinence is caused by a weakened pelvic floor muscle that cause a loss of urine even if someone sneezes.
The pelvic floor muscles are affected by hormonal changes and can become more sensitive during pregnancy which is what causes pregnant women to suffer from leakages. During pregnancy everything gets a bit looser as it prepares the birth canal for labour, although it usually settles down after giving birth.
Always Discreet is a new range of liners, pads and pants specially designed for women with sensitive bladders. The liners and pads are thinner than the leading brand, while absorbing two times more than women may need and the pants provide up to 100% comfort and protection, giving women the confidence they deserve.
Dr Shirley McQuade from the Well Woman Clinic sheds light on the fact that pregnant women are not alone and while it is still a stigmatized issue, it is also a very common one among females, young and old. She also offers advice those who are suffering from incontinence during pregnancy:
- If you already suffer from it, before getting pregnant, talk to your GP to ensure it is not a urinary tract infection. If it is, it is important to get it sorted.
- Do your pelvic floor muscles to tone up. This is a safe exercise to do during pregnancy and is important to improve incontinence. You need to do your exercises three times a day. Squeeze your rectum or vaginal muscles slowly for the count of three and relax to the count of three. Do fifteen exercises in one set and do three sets a day.
- Stay hydrated. It is important you drink enough fluids to keep you hydrated because when your urine is over concentrated it can irritate your bladder causing more urges to go to the toilet.
- Use proper protection. Make sure you use proper pads like Always Discreet for Sensitive Bladders to protect yourself. Avoid using sanitary pads as they are geared to a different function and menstrual blood isdifferent to urine.
A Quality of Life study, conducted by new Always Discreet, reveals an astonishing one in three women in Europe over the age of 18 are affected by Adult Incontinence. The results are part of Always Discreet’s campaign to drive awareness of this taboo health issue and help women suffering from Adult incontinence to take back control of their everyday lives.
