Incontinence: Stress vs Urge and what to do about it

Feeling pee-ved and pissy about your bladder leaks? Confused about what's going on? Let's talk about it. "The truth is, an estimated 45% of women experience some form of urinary incontinence at some point in their lives," according to Dr. Monique Tello of Harvard Medical School. But, unfortunately, many women suffer in silence, feeling isolated and like strangers in their own bodies.

Is all incontinence the same?

The short answer is no. Dr. Tello reveals that there are two main categories of incontinence:

Ever been doing some sort of physical activity and thought to yourself: Why do my undies feel soggy? You might be experiencing stress incontinence: "[The] leaking of urine with coughing, sneezing, sex, or impact exercise, like running and jumping. This is related to damaged and/or weak pelvic floor muscles, and is common in younger women who have given birth vaginally." According to our kick-ass Founder & CEO Kristy, "1 in 3 mums suffer from incontinence...and by the time we're 50 years old, 1 in 2 women will suffer from incontinence."

Leaks having you make a pee-line for the toilet? Ever felt the need to go but leaked before actually going? Perhaps you are urge incontinent: "Sudden and unpredictable overwhelming urge to urinate, with leaking of small to large amounts of urine. This sometimes also goes along with needing to go often [day or night]. It is more common in women who are overweight or have diabetes or neurological issues such as dementia or strokes. The problem is thought to be due to spasms of the bladder."

For a more in-depth run-through, read Harvard Health Publishing's article here.

          @mumtumsandpancakebums

Can I cure my incontinence?

The good news is that incontinence can, in most cases, be managed through simple lifestyle changes. Dr. Tello recommends:

• chatting to your doctor: "There are readily identifiable medical factors that can cause or worsen incontinence. Certain medications, uncontrolled diabetes, bladder infections, constipation, and menopausal changes to name a few. Your primary care doctor can help identify and treat many of these issues."

• caring for the skin down there: Tello has seen, "many patients who have skin rashes and infections in their genital area due to excessive moisture. Some are using menstrual pads, or even balled-up tissues or folded paper towels for their urinary leakage, or nothing at all. If moisture isn’t absorbed, it will damage the skin and cause problems." Consider buying yourself a pair of Modibodi undies, which can help you stay comfortable, dry and leak-free in the most sustainable way. Stand by for the low-down on our best-selling leak-proof range!

• watching your fluid intake: "Limit bladder-irritating beverages such as caffeinated or acidic drinks (alcohol, coffee, black tea, green tea, sodas and seltzers with citric acid added). For women who make nighttime trips to the bathroom, decreasing fluid intake in the evening (especially alcohol) can help." Okayyy, no more midnight tea parties for us.

• exercise: "The more physically active a woman is, the less likely she is to suffer from urinary incontinence. This may be related to better core and pelvic floor muscle tone in women with increased fitness." Check out pelvic floor first for a list of pelvic-floor-safe exercises.

• pelvic floor exercises and physical therapy: "Those Kegel squeezes can really work! They’re not difficult, but it’s important to do them correctly." Read Mayo Clinic's how-to guide on kegels here.

• bladder training: "Scheduling bathroom visits can help women to 'train' an overactive bladder." Pretend you're potty-training your little one, except now your little one is your bladder.

How can I handle my bladder leaks?

Modibodi has got you covered. There are countless incontinence products on the market, but none will keep you as protected, comfortable, and environmentally ethical as Modibodi. Using a three-layer Patented Modifier Technology that's only 3mm thin, our pee-proof underwear wicks moisture away from the body and locks it into the centre layer, meaning you can feel dry and smell fresh all day long.

The top layer quickly wicks away moisture, fights bacteria and stops smell, so you stay dry and fresh

The middle layer safely absorbs fluid and locks it away (2.5-20ml, depending on the absorbency-level you go with - that's up to 2 super-tampons worth!)

The bottom layer is extra waterproof protection, so you're super secure and leak-free

Have a look at our fash-tech, leak-proof undies here! Find your perfect pair, and be sure to match your flow with our absorbency by reading the info panel on each product page. 

Check out how our pee-proof undies have helped Modibodi customer (and model!) Sheree feel like a "healthy, happy, sexy, vibrant female again," on our Youtube channel!

Adore your Pelvic Floor 

World Continence Week is a taboo-busting health campaign to get people talking about their bladder and bowel troubles and to overcome the stigma of incontinence. Modibodi challenges you to talk about the reality of bladder leaks, so others don't feel so ashamed. Smash that stigma, eject that judgement and share your story with us in the comments below. All you need to start the conversation is an open mind...and a pair of Modibodi undies ;)

Useful Links 

For all that fake news surrounding incontinence, myth-buster Modibodi is here. Read this blog for the rundown.

Read more about how our Founder and CEO turned a light bladder leak into a life-changing company.

For more info about our incontinence underwear and some FAQs, take a look here!