Print

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

[TraceyTracey]

Hi, I am 47, started evorel patches 4 years ago and Merina coil (I have just had it removed and am waiting for a new one inserting, there were complications at the doctors office, currently trying Utrogestan 100 vaginally until new Merina inserted).

Anyway, I have been struggling for a very very long time with a weak bladder, no kids so I can't blame them.  This started in my mid to late 30's I think.   I arrive at home and am desperate to pee.   I walk to the car I am desperate to pee, I sit at my desk at work and am suddenly desperate to pee and each time I can't move in case I do pee.  I wait for the feeling to go away.  I leak a little daily, the urge to pee is overwhelming at times and it seems every time I need to go, I suddenly feel desperate and the urge takes over.  If I sneeze hard pee comes out.... it's only a matter of time before I have an accident.

About 4 yrs ago, I had a cold and cough and I coughed so hard at work that I wet myself.   I managed to hide the issue by going home at lunchtime to get changed.   I don't have an infection because there is no pain etc.  I can make it through the night 6+ hours, but am usually desperate to pee when I am heading to the loo in the morning and end up rushing there scared it's goung to come out.

The estrogen has not really helped as much as I would have liked. For example, before I started the patches 4 yrs ago, I had a few water infections and sometimes through the night and early morning I had to run to the loo and pee came out before I got there.  I recall always feeling sore getting out of bed and hobbling around due to the aches and pains and there was a burning urge to pee.  This stopped after antibiotics and a few months on evorel patches but the bladder was still weak, but not as bad.

Do you have any suggestions or remedies or do I have to live with this....

Thank you

[Joaniepat]

You might also benefit from women's physiotherapy. I have had a few sessions at the hospital where I attend the menopause clinic. It is a specialised subject and you would be taught how to strengthen your pelvic floor with kegel exercises. It is best to do this under supervision to start with.

Nobody should have to live with a 'weak' bladder, so get your GP to investigate and give you the appropriate referal.

JP x

[Tempest]

I'm thinking prolapse, too. A referral to gynaecology with a special interest in urology would be your best bet - your GP should be able to refer you. You don't need to put up with this. xxxx

[TraceyTracey]

Thank you ladies...

It's a bit of a shock to hear this... but the good news is I am waiting for a date to see a Gynea about the Merina insertion. So I can cover this off at the same time.   

Do you think there is anything I can try now whilst I am waiting for the appointment?

Thank you 😊

[Taz2]

Hi TraceyTracey - this is a common problem and can often be helped by referral to a specialised pelvic floor unit which can be found in lots of hospitals. I feel you should ask your GP for this referral as there are many causes of bladder problems and you do need someone who specialises in this to assess you. You will then find the reason for your urgency and can be given a tailored programme of exercises to follow in order to try to take back control of your wayward bladder. I found my local unit to be really helpful and although I eventually succumbed to prolapse I feel the exercises and ongoing advice was invaluable. This is an example of what hospitals can offer http://www.cpft.nhs.uk/services/continence-advisory-service.htm

Have you also checked out our sister site for more advice and help? https://bladdermatters.co.uk/content.php?id=78g=/Normal-bladder-function

Taz x

[TraceyTracey]

Thank you ladies.

So if I am applying Evorel patches twice weekly and progesterone vaginally nightly or a Merina coil (soon) and I am feeling fairly good.    How would vagifem fit into this routine and would it impact what I am already taking and throw me off balance.   I imagine that the Gynae may want to try Vagifem and some physio first if it is atrophy due to menopause..

I know we don't know yet and I need the exam.. but I would like to be prepared so I can remind the Gynae or doctor so I don't end up with an imbalance.  My Gynae did not prescribe my HRT, the doc did. 

Thank you

[CLKD]

Atrophy is not always obvious.  One should go on symptoms.  Itchy feelings, dryness, the feeling of a need to pee more often ........ vaginal atrophy mimics urine infection-type symptoms really well!

I echo the suggestions that Taz makes.  Let us know how you get on?

[Taz2]

You can use Vagifem plus full HRT. Bladder weakness is not always associated with VA though. I didn't have VA when mine began which is why it's important to have a proper bladder assessment by a continence/pelvic floor specialist.

Taz x

[TraceyTracey]

My symptoms are just the urge to pee, then I just have to go and am struggling to keep it in.  No dryness or itching.   

I will take this info to my doc and see what she says.

Thank you so much for your responses   

[Taz2]

Did you check out the link I posted earlier from Bladdermatters which explains the different types of bladder problems? Sometimes posts get missed.

Taz x 😊

[aurora]

Hi Tracey - do you use testosterone? My symptoms never got that bad but I was perfectly "normal" then suddenly started getting urgency etc so researched and found that testosterone deficiency can cause it. I got some gel from France - 2% so intended for men but i just use a tiny dab daily and not had any problems since. Mine was from dhea-sante dot com - hopefully they still do it it was about a year ago but I stil have loads left as it's a tub and i use such a small amount xx

[Italianlover]

I also suffered with this for some years. A uro gynae told me that bladder infections can be sub clinical so advised a long course of antibiotics and then always to take an antibiotic after sex which I still do. Also my symptoms pretty much disappeared after I had a very large ovarian cyst and a fibroid removed, I had no symptoms from them but they were what was causing a lot of pressure on my bladder and the constant peeing and leaking.Hope you get some help, it's a very distressing thing to have to live with, but you don't need to, just push for a uro gynae referral if you need to.

[CLKD]

ABs should not be taken like sweeties.  This is why World Wide diseases will become un-treatable.  When did your GP suggest this Italianlover?  Maybe time for a rethink.  Suitable treatment for atrophy as well as keeping clean down there, is all that is required.  There are several threads about various types of bladder, vagina, urine problems here .............

[Italianlover]

Well hardly popping them like sweeties!  I have suffered from severe and recurrent cystitis since my teens and have tried every remedy in the book to try and alleviate and prevent it. Gosh I wish that ‘keeping clean' had fixed it. Holidays ruined, long journeys a nightmare, walking the dog with wet trousers, that was my life. Some bladder infections are chronic and sub clinical and present with frequency, leakage, dribbling etc. The cause is not always mechanical, infection should be ruled out. A short course of AB's doesn't always work according to my uro gynae specialist and as an ex midwife I've seen quite a few women who suffer from these long term bladder issues. For me, sex nearly always caused another infection, she advised post coital Trimethoprim, one tablet, that was 2 years ago.
After babies my condition got worse and I did a year of gynae physiology which did help. Menopause also made things worse, more physio and then a scan found a huge ovarian cyst and large fibroid and after surgery, I've found a big improvement. I'll still keep my pack of Trimethoprim in my bedside drawer though!

[CLKD]

Interesting. How does 1 tablet work?