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Babyboomers.com | Let’s Talk About Bladder Leaks: 4 Tips From A Pelvic Floor Expert

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Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
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Let’s Talk About Bladder Leaks
Bladder leaks are not pleasant, but by looking at contributing factors including past pregnancies, race, hysterectomy, etc., we can often treat it successfully with a variety of effective rememdies depending on your history. With the large number of women in America and around the world who could be considered "baby boomers", it's no surprise that BabyBoomers.com reached out to me to write this guest blog post. Here is a brief synopsis of the article with a link to the full article below.

Heather Jeffcoat

Babyboomers.com Says "Let’s Talk About Bladder Leaks", So Here We Go!

For many women, aging can present a variety of expected and unexpected hormonal and physical changes, including bladder leaks.

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I frequently see women come in with questions regarding bladder leaks and how to strengthen their pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is located between your tailbone and the pubic bone, and it plays an important role in supporting the bladder, bowel, uterus and vagina.

The truth is, 1 in 3 women experience bladder leaks, yet many women are still embarrassed to talk about leaks with their doctors, friends or family. Incontinence can have many contributing factors including past pregnancies, race, hysterectomy, weight, genetics and muscle weakness.

The article covers some techniques and treatments that I recommend for managing bladder leaks so that you can continue to live life and pursue fun activities without worrying about leaks. The key areas covered include:

  1. Know how to Identify Bladder Leaks
  2. Visit a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist
  3. Practice These Exercises to Engage the Pelvic Floor
  4. Find The Right Products to Manage Leaks

Click here to continue to the full article on bladder leaks and what to do about them, and of course we are always here to help when you are ready to schedule an appointment with one of our therapists.

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Testimonial by A.M.

Months after giving birth, it was difficult for me to go from a sitting or lying position up to a full standing position without feeling that I had to remain hunched over until a bit of time had passed to get fully upright. However, after taking Heather’s course, I learned exercises to get my body back to normal. She also showed me correct ways to lift and carry my son as well as put him in/take him out of the carseat and stroller. This class was really beneficial and Heather is a wonderful teacher who made me feel very comfortable.

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Testimonial by Fritzette H.

I went to Heather after the birth of my third child. It was lucky, really, that I was referred to her, because my doctor had referred me to a surgeon for a possible hysterectomy or pelvic wall rebuild. Thankfully, I went to Heather before undergoing either surgery, she was able to fix the problem. She has studied extensively in women's health--even written a book about it--and was able to diagnose my problem, suggest a course of treatment (6 weeks), and then follow through with said treatment. By the end, as she said, I was as good as gold. Boy, was it worth it! Though uncomfortable to talk about, much less write about, it is worth getting the word out there. If you have painful intercourse, especially after birth or other trauma, the treatment may be as simple as Physical Therapy (with Heather, of course). I highly recommend her.

-- Fritzette H., 3/24/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by R.D., age 38

"I had a severe tear during childbirth that was not stitched together correctly and therefore healed poorly. Even after having a surgery a year later to remove the scar tissue, I was still having pain, and no one could explain why -- there was no overt 'reason' to explain the pain. I had tried other 'specialists' and even saw another physical therapist who had me do hip / leg stretches -- what a joke! I was about to give up and just 'live with it' until thankfully I kept searching online and found Heather.

Read more: Testimonial by R.D., age 38

Testimonial by P.M.

I was hopeful but frankly skeptical when the doctor treating me for Interstitial Cystitis recommended that I go to Heather for physical therapy. Medication and diet helped control my IC symptoms, but I had never heard of physical therapy being used to treat IC. The education and treatment I received from Heather was a revelation. She explained that the pain I experienced with IC had helped create a cycle of muscle guarding which affected the entire pelvic area. I had no idea of the amount of tension being held there. No wonder my husband and I had not been able to have sexual intercourse for years!

Read more: Testimonial by P.M.

Testimonial by T.H.

I started seeing Heather in October 2014. For more than two years, I had been suffering from painful urinary tract infection type symptoms after my bartholins gland surgery which included constant burning and urinary frequency sensation that led to more and more painful intercourse. I had made multiple visits to internist, obgyn and urologist's offices, went through a range of treatment with UTI and bladder frequency medication that included antibiotics, vesicare, estrogen cream, but nothing worked.

Read more: Testimonial by T.H.

Testimonial by Fritzette H.

I went to Heather after the birth of my third child. It was lucky, really, that I was referred to her, because my doctor had referred me to a surgeon for a possible hysterectomy or pelvic wall rebuild. Thankfully, I went to Heather before undergoing either surgery, she was able to fix the problem. She has studied extensively in women's health--even written a book about it--and was able to diagnose my problem, suggest a course of treatment (6 weeks), and then follow through with said treatment. By the end, as she said, I was as good as gold. Boy, was it worth it! Though uncomfortable to talk about, much less write about, it is worth getting the word out there. If you have painful intercourse, especially after birth or other trauma, the treatment may be as simple as Physical Therapy (with Heather, of course). I highly recommend her.

-- Fritzette H., 3/24/16 via Yelp!

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