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Yes, mild bladder leakage is common. Very common. In fact, up to 1 in 3 women in Australia experience bladder leakage (also known as urinary incontinence). However, common does not mean normal. And lucky for you, most leakage can be treated very effectively with pelvic floor physiotherapy and, in many cases, cured!
There are two main types of urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or urge urinary incontinence (UUI). Some women may experience both (mixed incontinence).
Stress urinary incontinence occurs when the body (and bladder in particular), is placed under an increased load such as; coughing, sneezing, lifting, jumping or running. Activities such as these, cause an increase in abdominal pressure, and this increase in pressure is also placed on the bladder. In order for your bladder to keep the urine in, there are a few muscles and structures that need to be strong and function well enough to help counteract this increase in pressure. Your pelvic floor muscles play a big role here! Which is one of the many reasons you need to become familiar with your pelvic floor muscles and learn how to work them optimally.
If you experience SUI when you are exercising, it is a sign that the level of exercise or activity you are doing when you leak, is (at this point in time), too much for your body. It does not necessarily mean that you can not do the activity, but it is wise to reduce or modify and see a pelvic floor physiotherapist to help you recover. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can greatly improve, and in many cases, cure SUI. So if you want to be able to continue performing your favourite high-level activity with improved strength, function and confidence you can wear the coloured tights! Get in touch
