Ulrika speaks out about sensitive bladder problems
Ulrika speaks out about sensitive bladder problems
High profile names can help raise awareness of a disease or condition, and bring it under the spotlight.
High profile names can help raise awareness of a disease or condition, and bring it under the spotlight.
This new video series talks to those in the public eye about their personal reasons for speaking out.
This new video series talks to those in the public eye about their personal reasons for speaking out.
In the first of the series, Ulrika Jonsson talks candidly about light adult incontinence (LAI) which she suffered from after the birth of her fourth child.
In the first of the series, Ulrika Jonsson talks candidly about light adult incontinence (LAI) which she suffered from after the birth of her fourth child.
By sharing her experiences she hopes to help reduce the stigma surrounding this normally guarded subject.
By sharing her experiences she hopes to help reduce the stigma surrounding this normally guarded subject.
New research by the Wellbeing of Women charity shows that one third of British women over the age of 30 have experience of this condition. However, women often suffer in silence falsely assuming they are alone and too embarrassed to seek help.
New research by the Wellbeing of Women charity shows that one third of British women over the age of 30 have experience of this condition. However, women often suffer in silence falsely assuming they are alone and too embarrassed to seek help.
The condition is linked not only to childbirth, but also to the menopause, which results in a loss of hormones that play an essential role in keeping the muscles strong and elastic.
The condition is linked not only to childbirth, but also to the menopause, which results in a loss of hormones that play an essential role in keeping the muscles strong and elastic.
Exercises
Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises can be used to improve bladder control.
Pelvic floor exercises can be used to improve bladder control.
The pelvic floor muscles relax at the same time as the bladder contracts in order to let urine out, but if they lose strength they may begin to relax at other times, causing leakage.
The pelvic floor muscles relax at the same time as the bladder contracts in order to let urine out, but if they lose strength they may begin to relax at other times, causing leakage.
The exercises involve clenching the muscles you would use to prevent yourself urinating.
The exercises involve clenching the muscles you would use to prevent yourself urinating.
Another treatment is a weighted cone which is held in the vagina to teach the pelvic floor muscles to contract.
Another treatment is a weighted cone which is held in the vagina to teach the pelvic floor muscles to contract.
Alternatively, a technique as simple as emptying the bladder at fixed intervals can produce relatively quick results.
Alternatively, a technique as simple as emptying the bladder at fixed intervals can produce relatively quick results.
Other treatments can include drugs, electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor, and, as a last resort, surgery.
Other treatments can include drugs, electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor, and, as a last resort, surgery.
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