“I have been leaking urine or I can’t get to the bathroom fast enough. It’s embarrassing. What can I do?”
If you’re having a problem controlling urine, you are not alone! As we age, sometimes our muscles that hold urine become weak, and urine may leak. This is common in men with enlarged prostates and women who had multiple births or large babies. Although you may be embarrassed to talk about it, the best thing you can do is tell your doctor. Your doctor understands the issue and can work with you to find the cause and develop a treatment plan.
Tips to help with bladder control
- Try Kegel exercises to strengthen muscles. Ask your doctor about how to do them.
- Limit fluids after 7 p.m. to reduce nighttime bathroom trips.
- Limit foods that irritate the bladder or cause frequent urination, such as milk, citrus, tomato, spicy foods, carbonated beverages, sweeteners, alcohol and caffeine.
- Ask your doctor about medications that can help with frequency and urgency. Ask about side effects, too.
