It can happen to any runner, at any age, at any time. That embarrassing running moment: bladder leakage.
The facts about bladder leakage
You can be running happily along when you suddenly realize that your shorts are soaked with urine. Or you may not notice until you change and smell that distinctive odor.
This happens because, while strong pelvic and sphincter muscles can handle the extra pressure from a sudden sneeze or cough; or the pounding of running, these muscles can become stretched or weakened. This often happens due to pregnancy, childbirth, or even aging. Then sudden pressure or the pounding of running can push urine out of the bladder.
Many people think that this is a problem that affects only older women. Not true at all. More people with bladder leakage are in their 20s than in their 80s, and the average age of someone with bladder leakage is 52!
It happened to me when I was in my 30s and 40s. I never told anybody because I was embarrassed. I’m happy to be working with Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs to bring leaky bladder problems out of the closet and introduce you to a solution for active men and women that won’t interfere with your activities.
This is great news! Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs actually look and fit like regular underwear. They have a lower rise and they are not bulky. They come in black and beige, and they will discreetly help runners, or anyone with bladder leakage, feel normal again.
I had the chance to try out the Depend Silhouette Active Fit brief on the run. As you can see in the photo below, there is no added bulk or lines from the panties. They were very comfortable and I ran three miles without even noticing that I was wearing them.
Get a free sample of Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs! Try them out for yourself. They’re great for any type of activity that you do.
Other Solutions for Bladder Leakage
It is always a good idea to see a doctor to find out what is causing your bladder leakage. If the problem is weakened pelvic floor muscles, the best way to strengthen them is to do Kegel exercises. They are very effective and can be done anywhere at any time.
To make sure that you are using the correct muscles, try stopping your urine flow without using stomach, leg, or butt muscles. When you’re able to slow or stop the flow or urine, you’ve located the correct muscles. Contract the muscles for 10 seconds, relax for 10 seconds, repeat 10 times. Try to perform the Kegels about four times a day. A perfect thing to do on a long drive or while standing in a grocery line. Remember, nobody can tell that you’re doing them.
Extra weight can also put pressure on the bladder, so losing weight can reduce that pressure and help you regain bladder control. (note: I had a hysterectomy eight years ago because of fibroid tumors. I don’t know if it was the tumors or what, but after my surgery, I no longer have any bladder control issues. You may not want to go that far, though.)
Support a good cause with Underwareness
This is the third year of the Drop Your Pants for Underwareness program. Every time you post a photo or video to Twitter or Instagram with the tags #Underwareness or #DropYourPants, Depend will donate $1, up to $3 million, through 2016 to charities that support the research, education, and awareness of bladder leakage. Come on! Drop your pants!
Will you #dropyourpants for charity? Remember, you can get a free sample here!
before this past year I thought this NEVER HAPPENED 🙂 if you didnt have children.
nope.
it happens to me all the damn time 🙂
Do your Kegels! My main goal with this post is to help women stop being so embarrassed about something that happens to so many peo0le. Men too, ano I imagine it’s even harder for them. Thanks for sharing.
Having had 3 nine-pound kids, this HAD always been a huge problem for me. I was too chicken to get the surgery (and didn’t want down time) so for years I just “dealt” with it (and always had dry clothes and socks (eek) waiting at the finish line. Then about 5 years ago, I started working on getting my entire core really strong (not just the kegels 😉 — and I rarely, rarely ever have the problem and if I do it is very minor. However, I defintely could have used these undies back then!
Thanks for sharing. I really want to help people being so embarrassed about it, and every story helps. I think it’s great to know that about strengthening the core. Yet another benefit of a strong core!
I know lots of women in my running group talk about having this problem. Thanks for offering up an option to pass along to them
You’re welcome. They were really comfortable to run in. I didn’t notice them at all.
I have had it happen to me more than once and it is not fun but I think it’s important to talk about because it does happen!
I agree. And it’s much easier to talk about when you realize how common it is.
Look at the hottie with no pants on! You go girl!
Hi there, Debbie. I am a bladder leaker fo sho. Although I don’t do much running right now, I’ve done a few trampoline fitness classes. Holy crap! That’ll get you going.
Also, if I laugh pretty hard, I’ll definitely pee a little! And I’m in my 30s with no kids. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like once I have a couple though. I’ll have to carry a diaper bag around for both me and my kid;-)
Great post, Debbie. Thanks so much!
Haha! Better get going on your Kegels! I love how honest you are about it. That’s one of the things I’m trying to do is to help people, especially women, overcome their embarrassment. It happens to so many of us!
Age – that is all I have to say! AND I do lots of workout stuff that squeezes you know what! 🙂
Yes, age can have something to do with it, though many women who are pretty young have the problem (see the comment right above yours!).
Love that you are keeping it real! It’s a problem so many women have.
Thanks Julie. It’s time we talk about it so we’re not so embarrassed.
Thank you for covering this very important topic! I also suffer from bladder leakage and ran with depends for many years. GREAT post!
And thank you for sharing. The more women who can be honest and upfront about it means the less embarrassment and shame for others.
I’ve had two giant sized babies, but fortunately have managed to avoid leakage – I have seen so many posts praising this type of product, and to know that you think it’s great means that it must have something going for it. I’m glad you were willing to show your undies to help others. Thanks for sharing at our #OTM link up ~ Leanne 🙂
Thanks Leanne. You’re one of the lucky ones. If you read any of the comments, a lot of women of all ages endure bladder leakage. I’m happy that Depend makes a product that is descreet and comfortable.
This is exactly the reason I don’t run! I’ve tried the pads before, but they don’t fit right. Maybe I’ll have to give these a try. Thanks for posting!
With 5 kids I know all about embarrassing bladder leakage! I know when I work out, I am sure to go to the bathroom at least twice before I hit the elliptical and sometimes even in the middle of my workout! I also wear a pantyliner. I will have to give these a try though, because they look much more comfortable and like they have better coverage.
Thanks so much for linking up to Fitness Friday on Drops of Learning!
Oh does that hashtag make me smile 🙂 I love campaigns that bring about awareness for taboo topics like this.
A lot of people don’t want to talk about this problem, but it exists for both men and women of various ages. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, it is a medical condition. There are different medical treatments and various products on the market that are discreet that can assist. Thanks for sharing your story.
This subject doesn’t have to be as taboo as it is. Thanks for sharing your story, and how you deal with it!
Incontinence can be embarrassing and be inconvenient for active men and women. Thanks for sharing your story and your tips for living your active style with incontinence!