who suffers?
Sensitive bladder, or bladder irritation, is just as common as hayfever and affects most women at some time during their lives.
Typical triggers are cystitis, post birth, hormonal changes and some surgical procedures. Around 25% of women over 35 have experienced bladder irritation or sensitivity and for these women, having a discreet pad that they can rely on to keep them dry is essential.
Women and girls suffering with a sensitive bladder often feel further burdened with the nature of the selection of pads designed for their needs and understandably choose to use a sanitary pad.
Many pads designed for light bladder weakness contain plastics, synthetic fibres and fragrances, chlorine bleaching residuals as well as super absorbent gels derived from crude oil. Natracare believes that these types of materials are not helping us feel any more comfortable.
what should women do?
After seeking the advice of your medical practitioner, a sensible first step is to switch to organic and natural materials for underwear and personal hygiene products.
Natracare organic and natural Dry & Light pads are especially designed for primary protection and for extra comfort; they are totally chlorine free, free from plastics and crude oil materials, and best of all, only certified pure organic cotton next to your skin.
Natracare Dry & Light pads also has respectful and discreet packaging to further dispel any unnecessary embarrassment allowing you to use the best possible natural pad to keep you dry and comfortable.
Although with practice, pelvic floor exercises can be done anywhere and anytime, it is best to learn the exercises in the following position:
Sit on a chair, toilet seat or toilet lid. Make sure that your feet are flat on the floor and your legs are slightly apart. Lean forwards, resting your elbows on your knees.
There are two types of exercises – slow twitch and fast twitch. It is important that you do the slow twitch first and then the fast twitch each time you exercise your pelvic floor muscles.
Slow twitch exercises:
1. Close and draw up the muscles around back passage, as if you are trying to stop passing wind. Make sure that you do not contract your buttock muscles while you do this.
2. Now close and draw up the muscles around your vagina and urethra, as though you are trying to stop the flow of urine.
3. Hold for a count of five. Try not to hold your breath, breathe normally.
4. Then slowly relax and let go.
5. Repeat five times in total
Fast twitch exercises:
1. Pull up the pelvic floor muscles as before.
2. Hold for one second and then relax.
3. Repeat 5-10 times or until your muscles feel tired. The pelvic floor muscles tire easily and you may notice that it takes a lot of concentration to begin with to do these exercises correctly. If you find that the muscles ‘let go’ too quickly and that you cannot hold for a count of five, just hold them for as long as you can. Use this as your baseline.
For example, if you can only hold the contraction for a count of three, then every time you do your exercises, contract the muscles for a count of three. Gradually try to work up to four, then five.
DO NOT:
- squeeze your buttocks together;
- bring your knees together;
- hold your breath; or
- lift your shoulders / eyebrows or toes upwards
Source:
Guys and St. Thomas Hospital, London: Patient information