When it comes to women’s health, one aspect that often goes unnoticed is bladder health. While breast cancer prevention and treatment are rightfully emphasized, it’s crucial to recognize that pelvic floor disorders affect a significant number of women, with 1 in 3 women. As November marks Bladder Health Month, it’s the perfect time to educate yourself about the importance of bladder health. Here are some key facts about the bladder that not everyone is aware of:
In addition to raising awareness about bladder health, Bladder Health Month is an opportune time to have an open discussion about incontinence.
Incontinence, in its various forms, affects 1 in every 3 women worldwide. In the over-50 age group, an alarming 1 out of every 2 women will struggle with this prevalent health issue. Unfortunately, incontinence is a topic that people often hesitate to discuss. Therefore, it’s essential to shed light on women’s health and specifically pelvic health. By bringing these issues to the forefront, we can find real solutions and ensure that the voices of those affected are heard.
One significant consequence of incontinence is silence. Many women choose to cope with the issue by purchasing and wearing daily pads or by pretending it isn’t a problem. Others may resort to invasive surgeries or internal e-stim products in a silent attempt to resolve the issue. Some might even undergo costly, time-consuming, and uncomfortable physical therapy sessions. Throughout this journey, feelings of embarrassment, shame, and worry arise, accompanied by questions such as:
“Will my light leaks get worse?”
“Do I smell?”
“ How can I enjoy afternoons at the park or vacations poolside with my family?”
As women, we owe it to ourselves to no longer keep overactive bladder (OAB), urge incontinence (UUI), and stress incontinence (SUI) as our best-kept secrets. Seeking guidance from medical professionals is essential, but we must also be our own advocates and support one another. We turn to our peers for advice on various aspects of life, such as parenthood, marriage, careers, cooking, and home decorating. By fostering open and honest dialogues about the leaks and urgency we experience, we can reduce feelings of isolation and gain hope.
With this in mind, let’s explore the different types of incontinence and the available treatment options:
OPTION 1: Take Action. Many women choose to suffer in silence, avoiding discussions with friends, family, and healthcare professionals, and instead resort to coping mechanisms like wearing pads and hoping for the best. However, this is far from an ideal solution.
OPTION 2: Physical therapy:Pelvic floor physical therapy can be used to relieve the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and help the muscles work the way they should. It can be useful, but can also be difficult to schedule and can be cost-prohibitive depending on individual insurance plans.
OPTION 3: Surgery: A pelvic floor reconstruction is a major surgical procedure designed to restore strength and integrity to the pelvic floor. This is invasive and expensive, and believe it or not – one of the potential side effects of this surgery is incontinence.
OPTION 4: Internal pelvic floor exercisers:Anything women can do to correctly do their Kegel exercises will be effective in strengthening the pelvic floor. But not all women are comfortable utilizing vaginal devices. Some cultures prohibit the use of internal devices.
OPTION 5: External pelvic floor exerciser: Just as with any other muscle group, it’s important to stay fit so the pelvic floor muscles can do their job: support your pelvic organs (bladder, rectum, vagina). When these muscles are stretched from childbirth or weakened from lack of use as you age, they cannot support the bladder effectively. Kegel exercises should be part of every woman’s routine to maintain a healthy pelvic floor. Elitone is an easy, effective, and external option for women who want to stay toned, strengthened, and leak-free.
The first external, wearable, over-the-counter incontinence treatment and the ONLY external incontinence TREATMENT that can be used discreetly while going about your daily activities, Elitone does your Kegel exercises for you, longer and stronger than you can on your own, all while dressed and doing whatever you need to do. And 95% of women who used Elitone successfully reduced (or eliminated) urinary leaks and pad use!
We often think of November as a time to give thanks; when we enjoy time spent with treasured family and friends. Let’s also use it as a time to open up – to talk to one another – to share our personal experiences and learn from those of others. Bladder health need not be a taboo subject and incontinence need not be a forever struggle. Taking proactive steps to maintain and improve bladder health can make a significant difference in a woman’s quality of life.
“Elitone does exactly what it says and more. I went from wearing a pad everyday to not wearing one at all in 7 weeks! I am thrilled and so happy with the results I am speechless. It is worth the investment , easy to use and a life saver.” – Lori
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