Light Bladder Leakage (LBL) is way more common than people realise, affecting roughly one in three women at some point in their lives.
Yet, as with many women’s health issues, stigma can prevent us from talking about the condition, leading us to believe we’re all alone in it.
If you’ve felt personally victimised by the information black hole, here’s what you need to know.
What is Light Bladder Leakage?
Light Bladder Leakage refers to the involuntary loss of small amounts of urine. It’s a prevalent issue, affecting women of all ages and backgrounds.
What Causes Light Bladder Leakage?
Causes may vary from person to person but most commonly involve a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.
This can be caused by:
- Pregnancy and child birth
- Hormonal changes, like menopause or those related to thyroid conditions, which can contribute to a decline in muscle elasticity
- Ageing.
Preventing Or Managing Light Bladder Leakage
Pelvic floor exercises can go some way in strengthening the pelvic floor muscle, helping to prevent LBL. But when it comes to something like childbirth and hormones – there’s only so much one woman can do for her pelvic floor!
More often than not, it’s beyond our control. However, there are many ways to manage LBL to make you feel more comfortable and confident.
Manage Fluid Intake
We all need our two litres of water every day. However, depending on the circumstances of your day, you may want to limit the quantity you drink, or the types of liquids you drink (namely diuretics, like caffeine and alcohol), before occasions where you may not be able to get to a bathroom.
Schedule Bathroom Breaks
You may not think you need to go right now, but it’s a process of management. Ensure you head to the loo at regular intervals.
Try some liners
If we know anything about LBL, it’s that it’s not exactly within our control. To help with leaks, consider wearing or carrying some panty liners. Poise is at the forefront of LBL products, and has launched a range of charcoal liners which absorb odour, as well as liquid. Their studies confirm a 95% reduction in unwanted scents compared to using no liner at all. Better than that, they’re designed for all-day wear!
Learn more here.
Chat to your GP
There are medical interventions for severe cases. Always chat to your doctor about your experiences, and hopefully they will help advise on the best solution for you.