About 40% of women over the age of 40 experience bladder issues, although younger women may also notice bladder problems. Up to 50% of all American women may experience these issues in their lifetime. Bladder issues in women are no laughing matter. Yet it can be an embarrassing subject, and many women do not seek professional advice, even though many bladder issues can be addressed. However, before you decide whether you need to see a health professional, it helps to know what causes these issues and what steps you can take to manage them.
Causes of Bladder Issues in Women
Many things can cause bladder issues in women. Most women experience these issues because of a bacterial infection. This could result from the following:
- Tampons
- Spermicides
- Douches
- Sexual relations
- Bowel issues
- A toilet’s backsplash
- Not practicing proper hygiene when you urinate
Other factors could also cause bladder issues in women. Examples include:
- Issues with the bladder lining
- Chemical exposure
- A blockage in the urinary tract
- Allergic reactions
- A parasitic infection
- Radiation exposure
- An autoimmune issue
One should also note that bladder issues in women may arise from abdominal trauma. This often involves injuries to the detrusor muscle.1 Found in the bladder wall lining, this muscle is responsible for contracting to allow the passing of urine. When it relaxes, it increases your bladder’s ability to hold urine.
Many things could cause damage to the detrusor muscle and, thus, the bladder’s ability to control the urination process.
Pregnancy and the process of childbirth, for example, could stretch and thus weaken these pelvic muscles. These muscles, responsible for supporting the organs in your lower abdomen, may then sag. As a result, your bladder’s position could change, resulting in the issues mentioned.
Certain conditions could also cause bladder issues in women because they can cause nerve damage. These include multiple sclerosis, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. Back or pelvic surgery can also cause nerve damage. With nerve damage, communication issues between the brain and bladder may result in urination problems.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) may irritate nerves in the bladder causing the detrusor muscle to contract at unexpected times. Furthermore, obesity may result in increased pressure on the bladder which promotes instances of incontinence.
Lastly, certain medications, alcohol, and caffeine have a dulling effect on nerves. This causes issues with brain-to-bladder messaging that could cause the bladder to leak.
Types of Bladder Issues In Women
Bladder issues in women often mean an overactive bladder that, for whatever reason, results in frequent urination. Many women may be unable to control their need to urinate and could experience leaks. Yet there are also different types of bladder issues in women.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence refers to urination when you laugh, cough, or sneeze.2 It may also occur when engaging in exercise. This is the most common type of urination issue in women.
Under normal circumstances, the pelvic muscles automatically contract when the bladder fills up and increases pressure on the abdomen. This contraction shuts off the urethra and thus prevents urine from escaping.
Weak pelvic muscles cannot adequately contract. This means the urethra cannot shut properly. As a result, you may experience this type of leakage.
Pregnancy and childbirth affect the pelvic muscles, as does menopause.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A UTI results from bacteria entering the urinary tract through your urethra. Once in the bladder, the bacteria multiply and cause an infection. The infection can spread to various parts of, or exist only in certain parts of, your urinary system, i.e., the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidney. Infections in these various areas have different names. Their symptoms may also vary.
- Kidneys – pyelonephritis: This condition may cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. You may also experience pain in the side or upper back area.
- Urethra – urethritis: This may cause a discharge or burning sensation when you urinate.
- Ureters: These connect the kidney and bladder. Urine passes through them to reach the bladder. An infection in this area is simply referred to as a UTI.
- Bladder – cystitis: A bladder infection is associated with a frequent need to urinate. It may hurt when you do so. You may also find your urine has blood in it or has a cloudy consistency. Experiencing lower belly pain is also common.
Please note there is a difference between cystitis associated with a UTI and interstitial cystitis. Also referred to as painful bladder syndrome, symptoms may include many of the symptoms associated with cystitis. This condition does not result from an infection, however, so antibiotics, commonly used in the treatment of UTI, do not work.
Interstitial cystitis is characterized by an inflamed bladder lining. The condition is challenging to manage from a medical standpoint.3 Often first misdiagnosed as a UTI, interstitial cystitis can have a lasting effect on your quality of life.
Nocturia
Although often regarded as part of the aging process, nocturia can develop at any age. Nocturia is characterized by frequent bathroom breaks during the night. This constant need to go to the bathroom while you should be sleeping can severely impact your night’s rest. The usual cause is drinking too much liquid, especially during the few hours before bedtime. Certain health issues may also cause it, however. These include inflammation of the bladder, an obstruction in the bladder, medications, diabetes, a sleep disorder, or a heart condition.
Nocturia is one of the most common bladder issues in women and men.4
Urinary Urgency
Urinary urgency refers to a condition where you have a sudden, urgent need to urinate. You may also experience pain in the urinary tract or bladder. You may also frequently feel the need to urinate.
The most common cause of urinary urgency is a UTI. Drinking alcohol, caffeine, or too much liquid over a short period may also cause this issue to appear.
Other causes include nerve damage caused by diabetes, a chronic bladder infection, anxiety, a vaginal infection, or pregnancy. Less common causes include bladder cancer, a tumor, or a nervous system disorder.
Bladder Issues and Detoxification Circuit Dysfunction
Bladder issues in women could also be connected to dysfunction in the detoxification system.
Your Detoxification circuit is one of the systems that form part of your NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response. Part of the detoxification system’s role is to get rid of any excess reactive metabolites found in the body that result from stress.
These metabolites are a result of metabolic processes in your body, and your body needs to get rid of them. This is done by urinating and defecating. These metabolites have a toxic nature. If your body does not get rid of them, it could lead to liver congestion and a compromised immune system.
Failure to address problems like bladder issues in women that could cause Detoxification circuit dysfunction may lead to a host of health issues that intensify over time. It could also add to your body’s stress load which, in turn, could promote adrenal issues.
Addressing Detoxification circuit dysfunction is a lengthy process that starts with addressing the root cause. From there, supporting adrenal health is important, as adrenal fatigue, a condition where the body is unable to keep up with long-term stress,could intensify other health issues resulting from the condition.
What Is the Risk of Developing Bladder Issues In Women?
Some women have a higher risk of developing bladder issues. Risk factors can include:
A genetic predisposition- The shape of your urinary tract
- Health issues like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or spinal cord injury
- Age – older women and children have a higher susceptibility
- Pregnancy – it causes changes in the hormones present in the urinary tract
- Menopause – it is often associated with bacterial changes within the vagina
- Sexual activity – new or multiple partners increase your risk
- The use of spermicides – they may cause changes in bacteria found in the vaginal area
- A previous UTI experience
- Inserting a diaphragm into the vagina by hand
- A hysterectomy, as it could damage pelvic floor muscles
- Autoimmune disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Menopausal women may further increase their risk factors if they have sexual intercourse more than three times a week. You may also have a higher risk if you had a UTI before the age of fifteen.
Addressing Bladder Issues In Women
A natural supplement like UTC may help keep your urinary tract healthy.
Other tips to help prevent bladder issues in women follow.
Dietary Changes
Following a diet made up of healthy, fresh, whole foods may help reduce your UTI propensity. This may also mean limiting or cutting out foods that may promote or worsen bladder issues. These foods include coffee and caffeinated drinks, chocolate, spicy foods, acidic foods, fruit juices, anything containing tomatoes, and artificial sweeteners.
Addressing Weight Issues
Obesity puts strain on the bladder and could promote issues with bladder control. A healthy weight will reduce this pressure and thus lessen the chances of bladder issues developing.
Address Constipation
Your bladder experiences an increase in pressure when you suffer from constipation. This can affect proper bladder function. Avoid constipation by eating high-fiber foods like oatmeal, bran cereal, whole wheat bread, and beans. Also, stay hydrated – try to drink six to eight glasses of water daily.
Consider Keeping A Bladder Diary
If you regularly have bladder issues, consider keeping a bladder diary to help find out the trigger. In it, you can track everything you eat or drink, how often you need to urinate, when you do so, and whether you could reach the bathroom in time. You could also indicate what caused you to urinate, e.g., sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, strengthen the pelvic muscles. These involve tightening your pelvic muscles as if you were trying not to urinate and then, after a few counts, relaxing them. You could also, while urinating, try to stem the flow of your urine for a few moments by contracting these muscles before relaxing and allowing the natural flow once more.
Surgical Options
Your healthcare provider may suggest a surgical option depending on the cause of your bladder issue. These include bladder prolapse, i.e., a fallen bladder, urinary incontinence, i.e., loss of bladder control, and bladder cancer.
In Closing
As discussed, many things can cause bladder issues in women. Yet your bladder issues need not rule your life. Talk to your healthcare provider about your issue and raise any concerns you may have. You can also avoid some of the risk factors, practice pelvic floor exercises, and address any related health conditions.
If you have any bladder issues that you would like to discuss in private, please feel free to give us a call at +1 (714) 709-8000. We provide a confidential space in which you can raise any concerns.
