Your Bladder Guide

Look for my new book, Free Yourself from Incontinence: Your Bladder Guide, coming soon to amazon.com. In the simple and easy to read guide, I explain the causes of urinary incontinence and what you can do about it in the privacy of your home. You will find diet considerations, exercises (kegels and more), tips for managing the urge to go, and information on when to get more help. You are not alone!

Help for Incontinence

When I look at the statistics that only 1/2 of the 20 to 25 million American women with urinary incontinence ever talk to their doctors about it, I wonder why they don't seek help. Researchers believe it's because the women are embarrassed that they have the problem or the women believe there's nothing that can be done about it. I'm wondering if this is true. With all the commercials on for medication and adult leakage protection products, women must know many are experiencing the problem. As health professionals, we are here to help but can't if women don't seek the help. Why aren't women talking about it?

Talk to Your Doctor

Bladder leakage is NOT a normal part of aging. Yes, it does often happen as we get older but also occurs as young as 19 years old.

It often goes untreated. Advertisements for absorbent pads, diapers, and briefs are highly visible, but treatment options to improve or resolve the problem are not.

Studies tell us that about ½ of those with bladder leakage don’t tell their doctor about it, but the National Institutes of Health also tells us that most patients will talk about it if their doctors ask.

I know that when I mention incontinence to women I know, frequently I learn that they have the problem. Bringing up the subject gives them the ok to admit to having the problem and to ask for advice.

Let’s talk about it, and get beyond this problem and on with life.

We're not getting older, we're getting better. Remember that commercial?

You Are Not Alone!

It is estimated that as many as 25 million Americans have urinary incontinence! That's about 12% of our population! And 20 million of these are women!

Here's a chart that shows incontinence affects not just older women but young women as well.

Age % affected
19-44 years 19%
45-64 years 25%
65+ years 30%

The severity of the problem increases with a woman's age.

Age % who leak on a daily basis
19-44 years 18%
65+ years 28%

As the severity of the problem increases, so does the affect on the daily lives of women, influencing their social and physical activities and feelings about themselves.

Is There Help for My Incontinence?

Yes!! Those of us experienced in treating urinary incontinence will tell you there absolutely are solutions beyond medication and surgery. Research also tells you yes! A new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine (March 18, 2008) reviewed 96 study trials on urinary incontinence. The study concluded that pelvic floor muscle exercises along with bladder training resolve the symptoms of incontinence in women.

What are you waiting for? Don't accept the problem! Get help!