Sneeze and Squeeze

Ladies, this is Foreverbetty founder –  Shannon – have experienced this and know first-hand it isn’t fun. Worse, quite frankly, no one wants to talk about it.  But, we need to. Here at Foreverbetty  we owe it to ourselves and each other to be honest. Once you get past the WTF thoughts, its time to get down to the WHY and what can you do about it.

There are several reasons why women may experience urinary incontinence (the sophisticated term for sneezy peezies) during and after menopause. Here are some explanations:

• Weakening pelvic floor muscles: As women age, the muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum can weaken. This can lead to stress incontinence, which is leakage of urine during physical activity such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising.
• Decreased estrogen levels: Estrogen helps keep the tissues of the urethra and bladder healthy and strong. As women go through menopause, their estrogen levels decline, which can cause the tissues to become thinner and weaker. This can lead to “urge incontinence,” which is the sudden and strong urge to urinate that is difficult to control.
• Vaginal atrophy: Vaginal atrophy (related to the decrease in estrogen) is a condition that can occur after menopause when the tissues of the vagina become thin, dry, and less elastic. This can cause discomfort or pain during sex, as well as urinary incontinence.
• Neurological conditions: Some neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, can cause urinary incontinence in women.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as diuretics or blood pressure medications, can increase urine production or affect bladder function, leading to urinary incontinence.

If you are experiencing urinary incontinence,  we recommend  speaking with your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan, which thankfully, there are several! 

Potential treatment options:

• Pelvic floor exercises: Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegels, can help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra. These exercises involve contracting and relaxing the muscles that you would use to stop the flow of urine. A healthcare provider or physical therapist can provide guidance on how to do these exercises correctly. YouTube also has some great instructional videos!
• Vaginal estrogen therapy: Vaginal estrogen therapy involves using a cream, tablet, or ring that contains estrogen to help restore the tissues of the vagina and urethra. This can help improve the symptoms of urinary incontinence and other vaginal changes that occur during menopause.
• Bladder training: Bladder training involves learning how to control the urge to urinate by gradually increasing the time between trips to the bathroom. This can help improve bladder function and reduce episodes of incontinence.
• Medications: There are several medications available that can help treat urinary incontinence, such as anticholinergics or beta-3 agonists. These medications work by relaxing the bladder muscles or reducing the urge to urinate.
• Vaginal laser therapy:  A gentle medical procedure that delivers a type of therapy known as fractional CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser energy to soft tissues, such as the tissue in your vagina. This treatment can regenerate your vaginal tissue safely and effectively.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat urinary incontinence. There are several surgical options available, such as bladder suspension or sling procedures, that can help improve bladder control.

Let us know what works for you! We’re in this together!