Weak Bladder In Menopause

Having a weak bladder can be a result of menopause; it contributes to urinary incontinence, which means that you urinate (usually only a small amount) without meaning to. Incontinence can occur as a result of mixed messages from the nerves and muscles in the bladder to the brain or as a result of weak pelvic floor muscles; these are the muscles, which are responsible for keeping the bladder closed until it is ready to open and you are ready to go to the toilet. In the case of menopause, a weak bladder is almost always linked to weakness in the pelvic floor muscles. Muscles tend to weaken naturally as oestrogen levels fall.

A weak bladder can make day to day life more difficult; you may feel anxious about going out in public and you may have to plan your day around going to the toilet or making sure that there are toilets close to where you are.

Certain situations and actions, which put your bladder under pressure, such as sneezing, coughing or laughing a lot, can increase the risk of incontinence.

Preventing bladder weakness

Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles are very helpful; Kegel exercises, which focus on your pelvis, help to build up strength in your muscles and reduce the risk of incontinence. These short and simple exercises should be repeated multiple times every day; all you have to do is lie on your back and practice tensing and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles for short contractions.

It's also a good idea to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks, as these can act as diuretics.

If you are worried about a weak bladder or it is affecting your daily life and your ability to make plans, see your doctor; treatments, such as medication, are available and they could have a very positive impact on your quality of life.

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