This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. You must be 21+ years old to try Poise Impressa Bladder Supports. #LifeAfterLeaks #CollectiveBias
Did you know that 1 out of 3 women suffers from light bladder leakage (LBL) or Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) when laughing, coughing, dancing, sneezing, or exercising? I was that 1 out of the 3 women, who suffered in shameful silence with LBL for years.
My earliest memory of SUI was shortly after having my second child. I remember trying to do step aerobics, only to have an “accident” stop me in the middle of my exercise routine. I felt so embarrassed and avoided physical activity that could trigger leakage. By the time I had my fourth child, LBL had taken over my life and all physical activity had become non-existent. However, everything is about to change! Thanks to Poise Impressa and some helpful tips to prevent a leaky bladder, I’m getting back into exercising and leading a more confident life.
Tip 1: Talk to your doctor
It took me years to even bring up SUI to my doctor. Yes, years! No one I knew ever talked about LBL and I felt embarrassed. I mean, who wants to talk about peeing in their pants?! But I finally did it and I wish I had done it sooner because I missed out on a lot of family activities. Plus, talking to my doctor helped me rule out any serious medical issues and put my mind at ease.
Tip 2: Strengthen Pelvic muscles
Childbirth, pregnancy, excess weight, age, surgery, and other things can weaken pelvic muscles. Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by doing Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises can be done in many positions, but one of my favorite Kegel exercise positions is done laying on my back while lifting up my buttocks (I’m using my hands to take pictures, but your hands should be at your sides). Not only am I able to work on strengthening my pelvic muscles, but I can firm my back side too!
Kegel Exercise:
- Lay on back with your hands to the sides. Bend knees.
- Contract pelvic muscles* while lifting the buttocks. Hold for 5 seconds**.
- Release pelvic muscles while lowering the buttocks. Relax for 5 seconds.
- Repeat steps 2 & 3. Aim for 3 reps. and 10 sets daily.
*Pelvic muscles help stop the flow of urine. These are the muscles you want to exercise. Do not do Kegel exercises while urinating.
**Start with 5 seconds of contraction and relaxation of the pelvic muscles. Work up to a 10-second contraction and relaxation time.
Tip 3: Diet changes
Caffeine, artificial sweeteners, tea, alcohol, and soda can increase the need to urinate. Spicy, sugary, and acidic foods can also contribute to an increased need to urinate. Be willing to eliminate or reduce the foods that you notice contribute to your LBL. My trigger is caffeine, so I’m willing to decrease my intake or avoid caffeine if I plan to work out or do physical activity.
Tip 4: Lose excess weight
Excess weight pressing down on the bladder and pelvic muscles can contribute to LBL. Diet changes and exercise can help shed pounds to relieve pelvic pressure.
Tip 5: Poise Impressa
Before finding Poise Impressa bladder supports, I was using panty liners to catch any “accidental” bladder leaks. Liners were fine, but constantly having to worry about LBL when I coughed, sneezed, or exercised was exhausting and uncomfortable.
Unlike panty liners, Poise Impressa bladder supports are a soft flexible insert that looks like a tampon* but are made to prevent light bladder leakage before it happens. I can even wear the bladder supports for up to 8 hours within a 24 hour period and can use the bathroom without removing them. Amazing, right?!
*Do not use Poise Impressa supports during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy. Visit the Poise Impressa introduction page for more information.
I found the Poise Impressa bladder supports sizing kit online at CVS. The sizing kit comes with 3 different sized supports, an instruction booklet, and a Poise Impressa coupon.
By following the kit instruction booklet, I was easily able to find the right size bladder support for me. But want to know the best part of using Poise Impressa bladder supports and these helpful tips? I no longer worry about SUI and can once again have the confidence to get physical without the fear of a leaky bladder.
What activity has Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) prevented you from doing? How would these tips and Poise Impressa bladder supports change your #LifeAfterLeaks?
Very informative post! Thank you for being so honest. I learn more and more about you every day! 😉 Lol. Sharing! #MM
Glad you enjoyed the TMI 🙂
It’s cool to see something that focuses on prevention rather than fixing an issue that’s already there. You don’t see a lot of advice like that. Thanks so much for sharing.
What happens if you wear the poise impressa longer than 8 hrs this is a great product but there’s 24 hrs in a day so for 16 hrs a day there’s no protection I understand pulling it out at bed time but I just wish I could either wear it 16 hrs or at least change every 8 hrs I work anywhere from 8 to 12 hrs a day and need longer protection
It’s not recommended to wear these for more than 8 hours in a 24 hour period. Since this is for the temporary management of Stress Urinary Incontinence, I only use it when I know I will need it. For example, when I exercise. If you are experiencing leakage that requires more management, you may want to address this with your physician.
These are great tips. While LBL is very common, I learned recently from my physical therapist that it’s not normal, and we DO need to make changes to fix it!
I’ve never heard of the product, but do know of the issue. Thank goodness there are brands that are leading the trail and helping women with these issues! Very informative!
It’s a new product and I love that it helps prevent “accidents” before it happens.
Great tips, this sounds like a great product that can help many!
I am so proud of your for talking about this problem. One thing that I have learned through the years is that if something is happening to me, chances are, it’s happening to others. Talking about problems is the only way to find solutions!
Such good info! After 4 kids I need it!
Me too. So glad this new product is available.
Great tips for a problem bothering secretly so many women!
Yes, 1 out 3 is a pretty large number of women suffering from this. I know my grandmother suffered from this, but I was too young to understand what it was at the time.
What a unique and interesting approach to a big challenge! I have a friend or two that I will be recommending this to!
It’s a unique approach and I like that it focuses on prevention.
This is an issue I think a lot of women don’t want to talk about, but definitely are worried about. I had a lady tell me hers was cured by horseback riding 🙂 So, if that’s an option for anyone, apparently you strengthen those muscles without even trying…well, besides trying to stay on the horse, LOL!
Well that’s a new one. I would think that horseback riding would cause an accident…lol.
Great info and I’m sure helpful to many. Love the combo of exercise and diet tips. It all works together.
Thanks KC. Yes, exercise and diet definitely work together.
I am glad that women are talking about this now, instead of hiding from embarassment…thanks for sharing!
Me too. I’m really glad it’s being talked about and not made into such a secret anymore.
I had no idea about those beverages impacting the issue! This is good information! So glad you shared with us.
I definitely notice caffeine being a big contributor and even too much sugar too.
Hi Erlene,
Stopping by from the Sunday Blog Hop. Thank you so much for linking up this post!
Hope to see you share on the linky again next week 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Those are great tips – I never even though about the sugar or spicy foods. Yikes! #client
I didn’t think spicy foods could contribute either…very surprising.