Bladder and Urinary incontinence

[Claire_Alexandra]

Hi everyone

So embarrassing but I’m noticing increasingly a weakening bladder and pelvic floor.

I’ve noticed it much more since my laparoscopy in March and not sure if it’s connected but most days I’m having a leak or nearly and I’m only 26 and no children and it’s just horrid. Sometimes its visible and requires a change of clothes but luckily that’s only once a month ish. They found endo in multiple places including superficial endo on/near my bladder and bowel

I know pelvic physio can benefit endo and I also have pain during and after sex so wondering if I push for a referral on the nhs if that’s even possible.

Any support with this would be helpful as really embarrassed.

Claire

[Cailleach]

Hi, I have this issue myself and it can be stressful and embarrassing. I would suggest you see your GP. It might be related to the laparoscopy so it would be good to rule that out. They should do a physical exam and can also prescribe medication to try reduce the likelihood of needing to pee urgently.

Pelvic floor exercises are definitely worth doing and you can look up online how to do them. I did get referred to physio specialising in continence issues, it was a long wait though.

I do use pads as well. If you are not having major leaks there are washable eco friendly pads available online from several companies.

Hope you get a solution to this x

[Claire_Alexandra in reply to Cailleach]

Thank you so much this is really helpful ❤️

[red_swim]

I'm really sorry to hear that you're having this issue and I too am in this club - I was diagnosed some years ago with overactive bladder. It is very common, if that's any mild comfort! I am in my 30s with no children.

I've had a number of surgeries for cervical cancer and endo (including on my bladder), but also broke my coccyx - it's likely a combination of all of this that has caused my physical symptoms. A pelvic physio has discovered that my pelvic floor muscles are very strong but are essentially malfunctioning in other ways because of my surgeries and illness, so it's not necessarily a case of 'weak' pelvic floor. The best way to find out what's going on for you is via a referral.

There's also a strong link between our anxiety and stress response and what's going on with our bladder, so I find that meditation and deep calming breaths helps in the moment of bladder panic.

Wishing you all the best in getting to the bottom of it.

[Claire_Alexandra in reply to red_swim]

Thank you for sharing, that’s so so helpful ❤️

[SC54]

Hi Claire,

I’m sorry to hear your current struggles. Unfortunately I have similar issues, I’ve recently had a cystoscopy to diagnose interstitial cystitis, although I believe my symptoms are due to endo as it’s always linked with my periods (gynae won’t do a lap until urology sign off).

I’m 25 and had started to become stress incontinent, however urology have started me on a medication called Mirabegron for bladder spasm. It has made a significant difference to my bladder symptoms and means I can function slightly more normally. It might be worth pushing for a urology referral from either your consultant or GP as, although you symptoms may be linked to your endo/surgery, it never hurts to rule out other things! They also did a ‘hydrodistention’ during the cystoscopy and expanded my bladder from 250ml to 350ml which has made a massive difference to my symptoms.

My consultants felt I didn’t been a pelvic physio referral on the NHS (which is ridiculous!!) so o sought out private support. She found that my pelvic floor was very tight and weak so we have been working on this. I can’t say my bladder symptoms are any better (but we haven’t targeted treatment on this) however I have found improvement in how painful sex is.

If you look on one of the bladder charity’s sites - I’ve used bladder health UK or bladder and bowel community - you can access a ‘Can’t Wait’ card, which I’ve found invaluable when having a bad day, particularly while toilets have been closed because of covid!

Keep pushing if you know something isn’t right!

Sofie x

[Claire_Alexandra in reply to SC54]

Thank you so so much Sofie. I really really appreciate this ❤️