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| Bladder Weakness: Women |
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| What causes it? |
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Weakened pelvic floor muscles
The bladder and outlet passage are supported and held in place by a hammock of muscles called pelvic floor muscles that keep your bladder closed. If these muscles lose their strength and flexibility even everyday activities such as coughing may cause leaking.
Pelvic floor muscles can become stretched and weakened during childbirth. Being overweight can also put an added strain on them.
Menopause
All body muscles become weakened over time and after menopause, the reduction in the quantity of oestrogen also affects the abdominal muscles. As a result, the bladder shifts its position and the muscles around the urinary tract become less effective.
Other causes
Nerve damage, some medications, constipation or even an infection can also lead to bladder weakness. |
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These causes result in the following four types of bladder problems:
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Stress
Unexpected leaking when you laugh, cough, sneeze or do some kinds of physical training. Most often, weakened pelvic floor muscles or the menopause are the causes.
Urge
You experience a strong and sudden urge to pass urine. The bladder tries to empty despite your efforts to restrain leaking. There is a lack of co-ordination between impulses the brain gives to the bladder and what your bladder does.
Overflow and drip
When your bladder does not empty completely, urine builds up and in the end may begin to dribble out.
Mixed symptoms
It is fairly common to have more than one type of symptom.
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