I started power walking in an attempt to get some of this menopausal weight gain off. I'm having a bit of a problem with leakage when I walk real fast! I attempted to do some jogging too, but that was a complete disaster! My gyno. suggested a consultation to discuss surgical options to correct the problem. I know that I have read somewhere in the past about how this can be controlled with BHRT. Of course, at the time, I didn't need the information, and now I can't find it. Anybody know what can be used to help this problem?

I power walk every day and I have this problem also. I use BHRT now and this problem was much worse before I started, but there is still some leakage especially if I run (or trip....;-) which is a real pain. I've started using a very thin panty liner when I walk because there is nothing worse than a wet bum when you are very far from home!
Estrogen helps to tighten things up down there, but if you've had kids (three for me) and they were big....it's always going to be a problem.
I don't drink anything before I take off, that helps.
As far as surgery is concerned, I have spoken to my doctor about it. I think the procedure is called a Birch Sling. He told me it is very painful, there is a very long recovery time and it's not a 100% fix.
I've also read somewhere that applying a tiny amount of either E or T to the area where the eurethra is can help? Haven't tried that.
You'll find more info if you google bioidentical hormone replacement and incontinence.

Good luck and no sneezing!

Have you tried doing pelvic floor exercises (or kegels as I think they are called in US) ?
I have always done them, and since my hysterectomy I have made sure I do them every day as there is nothing other than muscles holding my bladder in place I am not using estrogen either so that has not been a factor at all although I am sure it would help if there was a problem
I don't have any problem at all with leakage when I sneeze or cough or run etc. My bladder is as efficient as ever.

I am sure it is never too late to start kegels. The pelvic floor muscles are just like any others and can be strengthened any time. It might be worth giving them a try? That Birch sling sounds horrid

Good luck

janet c

I assume your 3 kids are boys?? Thus the name "manyboys"? I also have 3 boys. I married a man who has 2 boys, so together we have 5 boys!!
I have been trying to use BHRT, but haven't had much luck yet. The Birch Sling does not sound like a good option! I will try googling "bioidentical hormone replacement + incontinence" and see what I get. Thanks for your reply. It's nice to know that someone else has this problem.

Hi,

I used to have a bad time with incontinence...when I brushed my teeth, sneezed, coughed, laughed, just all the time, it was really bad. I had blood work done to check my hormone levels and they were so low (I'm post menopause and was suffering from other problems also) for my BHRT I choose the testosterone and estrogen pellets and take a progesterone pill and haven't had any more problems of any kind including the incontinence. In fact the first sign that I need new pellets is the incontinence returns.

Thanks for your reply! It give me so hope! My hormone levels are all very, very low. Possibly the BHRT will help me too. Thanks again!

Finally!! I found the post i was so desperately looking for!! Thank you for sharing. I also have some bladder incontenence issues, olny mine are not due to having babies. Unfortunately, my husband and I never were able, and now we are both worried about our ages..too old It makes me so sad sometimes. whoops, sorry; back to the issue. I also have leakage when I run, ex, or power walk-I did not realize it until I noticed an order down there-OMG I was completely mortified!! Now I am so paranoid about it, it is making me crazy. Sneezing is a nightmare for me as well. I have urgency too. No one can figure out why this is happening. I do not have OAB. My gyno thinks it may be due to my enlarged uterus pressing on my bladder. (I have multiple fibroids) He sent my to a urologist to test my pressures, but the results were inconclusive. The urologist would not commit to diagnosing that as the problem. He told me my uterus was"part of the problem" Yeah thanks--tell me something I don't know- what a waste of time. He also said that if I removed my uterus,I would still need the bladder repair, because I would lose support from the surrounding muscles that also hold up my bladder. My gyno told me that removing my uterus would not fix the problem, either; the damage has already been done sort of thing. I don't know what to do. I am worried that if I keep my uterus, the problem will get worse, and I can't even think about that! My dog is on proin for her bladder inc., and if the pills didn't smell so bad, I would be tempted to sneak a few for myself LOL! I have been doing kegels, but am not sure what the most effective way to do them is. I have read so many different theories. Anyone know? I am seeing my gyno tomorrow about another issue--I'm having so much fun lately I can't stand it. I have a complicated ovarian cyst that is no longer visible on ultra sound because I have so many fibroids, so now we will be talking about laparscopy, I am so nervous and frieked out because I have been reading about OV cancer and I have alot of the symptoms! And it doesn't help that i just learned that our insurance benefits will be changing, making me feel added pressure to make a decision before we get some crappy new plan! Please help, any input would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the semi novel. Thanks,
Laura

Hi there,

First, I would recommend that you DO NOT read about OV cancer or anything like that!!! Once you have the symptoms in your head that you've read about, miraculously you will have them! Check out the thread on "anxiety symptoms" and it will make sense!
Can you try some hormone therapy? It seems that it's the gold standard for ladies our age who experience incontinence issues in terms of a solution.
Btw, good luck at your appointment tomorrow (I have a few myself this week so I know the anxiety you are feeling....breathe deeply....;-)