I’m currently overweight and have started noticing rather large leaks coming from my bladder and I cannot predict them and don’t know exactly when it does happen. I’m worried I’m going to smell if I go out or if anyone visits me. I’m only young and was told excessive weight can cause incontinence. Is this true? Have I permanently damaged myself? Can I fix this? In the meantime, what can I do? I’m so embarrassed!! Sorry for all the questions.
Hi,
Carrying excessive weight can cause additional stress to be placed on the pelvic floor muscles. This can cause stretching and weakening of the nerves and muscles of the pelvic area. You can read our blog about incontinence and bariatric products for more information on this relationship.
Firstly, it is important to visit a Doctor and ensure there is no other underlying cause of your incontinence. If you have another health problem, the faster this is looked at the better. Do not be embarrassed, incontinence is a common problem that Doctors talk about regularly!
However, it is likely that you have not done irreversible damage if the incontinence is caused purely by excessive weight.
For improving your symptoms, a healthy weight loss programme can be invaluable. If you weigh 200 pounds, for example, losing only 10 pounds can reduce the frequency of your leaks. Make sure you talk to a Doctor or professional about a healthy goal so you do not put your body in danger.
In some cases, bariatric surgery can be necessary to help you lose weight and lessen your symptoms.
For treatment you can do at home, you can try pelvic floor exercises. These help you to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. You can read about how to do pelvic floor exercises here.
Are you currently using protective products or would you like any advice on choosing these? Many products are designed with odour control technology, so you don’t have to worry about unwanted odour. Let me know if you would like any additional lifestyle tips.
