Urinary incontinence is the medical term for urinating involuntarily. The symptoms include a sudden pressure of urination and having a little or not so little leak when laughing or sneezing. Many people, especially women, suffer from this condition.
If you’re one of them, don’t feel alone. Around 200 million people in the world live with the same condition. Unfortunately, despite being such a common health issue, people often feel uncomfortable talking about the issue. And that silence has created many misconceptions that can make one feel isolated.
But we believe that people suffering from this health condition deserve a functioning pelvic floor. So, we’ll discuss the 5 most common myths about urinary incontinence and suggest a solution toward a healthier, leak-free life.
Myth 1: “It’s a normal part of aging.”
It sounds logical, right? I mean aging does deteriorate our muscles and tissues, which may trigger the urination problem. But the truth is anyone, regardless of age or gender, can experience this problem.
Myth 2: “Your childbirth is the reason for incontinence.”
It’s true that being pregnant or giving birth often weakens your pelvic floor muscles, making you lose control of your urination. However, it cannot be the only reason. Genetics, hormonal changes, lifestyle, and certain health conditions could be the culprit too, even if you’ve never been pregnant or had a child.
Myth 3: “It’s not a serious health issue.”
We’re sure you’ve often heard people downplay urinary incontinence as “no big deal.” “It’s just a little pee,” they say, “how bad can it be?” But it can be emotionally draining and downright embarrassing.
We’ve seen friends suffering from incontinence always map out every public restroom before leaving home. Some of them even avoid wearing light-colored clothing altogether. No person should deal with that kind of burden.
So, it’s not surprising that urinary incontinence correlates with a higher risk of depression and disturbed sleep. And these issues can lead to major health problems over time.
Myth 4: “If I drink less, I’ll have fewer leaks.”
Another misconception that seems to be true, but it’s not. In fact, reducing the water intake drastically can make your bladder more sensitive. It may cause you to urinate more once you drink.
Instead, you should avoid diuretic drinks, such as coffee and alcohol, because they increase urine production. And drink a steady amount of fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated enough.
Myth 5: “Medications are the only cure for incontinence.”
It’s true that medications can cure the problem of involuntary urination but they are not the only cure. The treatment of some incontinence types may require advanced interventional therapies, medical devices, neuromodulation, or even surgery. And some other types are curable with non-invasive strategies, such as Hypopressives. These exercises have shown promising results in strengthening the pelvic floor, getting the core system better able to manage intra-abdominal pressure, and reducing urinary leakage.
How Hypopressives Can Help You Regain Control
If you’re someone suffering from urinary incontinence, we’re sure you’ve heard the buzz around Hypopressives: What is this, and does it actually help treat this condition?
Hypopressive exercises focus on reducing the pressure in your abdomen and pelvis while toning the core and pelvic floor muscles. This combination is helpful when you’re dealing with uncontrollable leaks.
A 2022 study found that women who had followed an eight-week Hypopressive exercise program experienced fewer episodes of leakage. It’s because these exercises strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles giving better control, continence and pelvic floor function, helping you regain control of the bladder muscles and other pelvic organs.
An added bonus is that Hypopressives incorporate breathing techniques and postural alignment, making them easy to adopt, even for older people. Once you learn the methods from a certified instructor, you can practice them just about anywhere.
Getting Started With Hypopressives
For the Hypopressives classes it is important that you learn the Breathing/Apnea technique properly so that you can get the most out of the classes and the time you invest in yourself. Each week Simone runs Fundamentals sessions on Zoom where she explains the technique and guides you through all the steps.
She will also give you feedback to make sure that you’re doing it correctly. For some, the technique may come more quickly than others. Some of her clients, who are tighter in the ribs and thoracic spine do tend to take a little longer. And here’s the golden rule – for impactful change, Simone recommends at least three 15 to 20-minute workouts per week. Consistency is your best friend on this journey towards wellness.
