Ask any woman at the age of 30 if she's ever had a bladder issue and I guarantee you she'll say yes. Between UTI's, urinary incontinence, and Interstitial Cystitis, women have many a bladder problem to be wary of, so what's a girl to do? I say educate yourself on how to improve your overall bladder health and try to keep issues at bay, but if the occurrence appears, it's also important to know how to treat them.
What's the deal with UTI's? Urinary tract infections are super common among teenage and adult women, which can be an infection of the kidney, urethra, ureter, or most commonly, bladder infections. We always hear to make sure to urinate after having sex to rid the body of any bacteria that may have gotten into the urethra, which will also prevent Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), which can occur alongside a UTI. What symptoms come along with this infection? The main symptoms of a UTI are pain in the bladder, a strong smell and burning when urinating, and frequent urination. How do you treat it? People often recommend cranberry juice to help with the pain, but please be aware that it must be pure and not from concentrate to help. I take it in pill form to ensure the cranberry won't irritate me. You can also take D Mannose to help prevent a UTI if you feel one coming on, but this will NOT cure an infection that is already present. If you are going to the bathroom every hour then take that as a sign that you need medical attention. An urgent care of GP can test you and provide you with antibiotics to fix your infection. If you do end up with BV or a yeast infection (which is fungal) then make sure to wear pantiliners or change your underwear frequently to keep yourself fresh from the discharge. Some women are unfortunately more prone to get recurring UTI's than others, so if this is you it may be time to dig deeper and try to understand the root cause of them in order to rid your body of them for good. Nobody wants to live on antibiotics, and the longer you take them, the more likely your body is to become immune, so I think it's a really good idea to have another treatment option up your sleeve to solve the mystery that is infections which keep coming back.
Urinary incontinence is simply a loss of control of your bladder. which can be just a leak from sneezing, laughing, or coughing, or needing to go so badly that you don't make it to the bathroom in time. If you are suddenly experiencing this you should avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages, as they are bladder irritants. Doing kegels can also improve control over your pelvic floor muscles to help you learn how to squeeze and release to stop and start the flow of urine. It's important not to hover over the toilet seat, because this confuses your muscles into thinking they should contract instead of release, or "go just because". Pelvic floor physical therapy can help you learn how to do all of this correctly with specialized exercises and biofeedback. For more specifics on that you can read my blog entry on physical therapy here. There are many different types and reasons for incontinence, as shown below, so it's important to enlist the assistance of a trained professional to treat your case appropriately.
Interstitial Cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition where the bladder is inflamed and irritated. Sometimes women suffering from this believe they have a UTI, but then they discover from the doctor that there is no infection present. In addition to the frequent urination, IC can also cause pelvic pain and pressure, which occasionally leads to painful sex and/or digestive issues. This condition is difficult to treat, but can also be aided by pelvic floor physical therapy. Some women experience relief with an anti-inflammatory diet and some take vitamins to assist with the nutrients they may be lacking due to the restricted diet. I recommend Desert Harvest and The Green Witch for products specially designed to alleviate IC issues through natural healing. DH sells vitamins and lubes while GW sells cooling wipes infused with essential oils and CBD infused items to help soothe pain and inflammation in your nether regions. The creator of GW's products can be followed on Instagram @firecrotchfairy and her website also has a place where you can buy her books for more information. I frankly love that there are women out there supporting other women so we don't have to suffer in silence with these private issues. It's a wonderful world to live in when we all want to help and educate each other to find solutions and healing faster.
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