Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Mojo61]

Hi,

Before I started HRT in February I would be constantly running to the loo to have a wee. It seemed that no sooner had I been than I had to go again and I would worry about going out as I had to plan my journeys around finding a public toilet! Nights were awful, I'd wake up about 5-6 times for a wee even if I curtailed my fluid intake hours before bed.

Now that has completely reversed. It seems I hardly ever need the loo and I can go hours after drinking before I need to go. I never need the loo in the night now, in fact it can be a good half an hour after I get up before I have to have a wee. Also when I do go there is no urgency and sometimes I almost have to "push" to empty my bladder (sorry if tmi)

Is this normal? Being a health anxiety sufferer I'm now worried that perhaps something is wrong with my bladder and that's why I am like this.

I have virtually cut out tea and coffee though and I used to drink a lot of that during the day. I understand that caffeine can also stimulate the bladder so perhaps that's why I'm not weeing as much?

[Mojo61]

Hi Stellajane,

Thanks for your reply. No, can't say I've noticed anything like that 

It's good to know that the HRT is hopefully responsible for what's going on. I have an ultrasound scan next week so perhaps the bladder can be looked at then if I mention it.

[Taz2]

It sounds as if your bladder is now acting normally Mojo61 but due to anxiety at the moment you are questioning it. I do the same sometimes.

I've never had to get up in the night for a wee - unless I'm sickening for something - and, although I know it's bad for the bladder, quite often I go just before I leave for work at 8.15 and get home around 4.30 before realising that I haven't been again all day. It's best to go every couple of hours or so if you can even if you don't feel that you are bursting.

I agree with Stellajane that the pushing feeling is often to do with a slight prolapse which happens to a high percentage of women. You are advised not to push though as this can do damage to the muscles. When you do push is there a result? Did you have any investigations when you were needing to wee all of the time such as being referred to a bladder training clinic?

Taz x

[Mojo61]

Hi Taz,

No, I never went to the doctor about it, I just thought it was part of getting older.

[CLKD]

It is:  a part of getting older  . 

Probably up your daily liquid intake as well as adding plenty of fresh fruit/veg to your diet.  Sit on the loo immediately you get out of bed and relax to allow the bladder to empty. Then drink as soon as possible after.

The first pee of the day will be dark and possibly smelly.  As the day progresses urine should be straw coloured.  Any lighter and you are drinking too much.  Dark and there isn't enough hydration which comes from food as well as liquids!

[Dana]

Hi Stellajane,

Thanks for your reply. No, can't say I've noticed anything like that 

It's good to know that the HRT is hopefully responsible for what's going on. I have an ultrasound scan next week so perhaps the bladder can be looked at then if I mention it.

The requirement for bladder ultrasounds can be quite specific, so they may not do it if you haven't prepared for it. Usually you have to drink a certain amount of water (from memory 1 litre) a certain amount of time before the scan so that your bladder is completely full. It's not the most pleasant experience in the world because you're sitting around waiting with a completely full bladder, and then you have to wait while they poke and prod you before you can relieve yourself. Then they will scan your bladder again to see how much you actually empty your bladder after going.

If you feel you need to have it done talk to your doctor first so the ultrasound people are aware and can tell you what they require you to do.

I have a bit of an irritable bladder (self diagnosed), and will often feel like I have to go even if I've just been, and will often need to get up at least twice during the night. However, ironically, increasing your water intake can actually decrease the amount of times you need to go.

The way it was simply explained to me, and it made sense, is that if you pour water on really dry parched ground the water tends to just run off. However, if you pour the same amount of water on to moist ground it will soak straight in. So if your body is already dehydrated the water tends to "run off", directly into your bladder.

I need to listen to my own advice though, because I know I don't drink enough water, and that's probably why I need to go so often.   

[Ljp]

Frequency and urgency were my main reason for starting g my HRT journey, initial just estriol vsginalvaginal cream, which helped, but then had a post meno bleed, end result, hysteroscopy, mirena, and estring and now use 1 and a half pumps estogel too.

I still have days when I pee a lot in succession though, which does make me question why I bother using HRT, but then again, some days it's really good.

I know HRT has helped me in other ways too, such as anxiety is better and less frequent, thoughts and concentration are clearer, and no hot flushes, all positive.
But I would prefer to not be on it if I'm honest, but the overactive and sensitive bladder was unbearable, and I do t know how I would cope without some form of help for that.

Just seems we are between the devil and the deep blue sea sometimes!

[CLKD]

Anxiety makes me pee lots ……..

[babyjane]

me too CLKD, and sometimes I have to bear down a little to empty my bladder but not always.  Sometimes I can only fully empty my bladder standing up so I think I may have a little prolapse but not enough to worry about.

Vagifem and estriol cream has certainly helped my frequency and urgency but I make sure I drink enough too or it stings a bit and I get constipated as well.

[Hurdity]

Mojo61

I've been on HRT for over 9 years, I'm 63 have had 4 children and I still need to go fairly frequently - but only once in the night, and also depending how much I drink.

I also have to push out (the wee) sometimes, especially if my bladder isn't very full but I still need to go, and always have to lean forward/push to get the last of it out. I haven't been told I have a prolapse but maybe at this age and after those births I do have a bit of one, and also got a retroverted uterus - apparently that may make a difference 

Hurdity  x

[Sweetscarlett]

When I had urology problems ( which turned out to be VA) my urologist gave me some useful advice to fully empty my bladder . He said to have a wee then wait 30 seconds and wee again , this helps to fully empty the bladder
Now I always practise this method
💙💙💙💙💙💙XxSs