Leakage is leakage! Stop Saying “only if”

“I don’t leak…only if I sneeze”

“I don’t leak…only if I jump”

“I only leak a little bit, just a few drops”

STOP IT! Urinary leakage is urinary leakage - even if it is just a few drops or a small amount. Leakage is leakage - even if it only happens when you do certain activities. Stop saying “only if” and start talking to your pelvic floor physical therapist.

Maybe you’ve gotten used to constantly wearing a thin pad or liner on a daily basis, or during certain activities. Have you stopped to add up the COST of using pads every day? They are expensive enough to use just during your menstrual cycle, but even worse when you are using them for leakage protection. Using 1-2 pads per day would easily be more than $150 per year on leakage protection - money that is literally being thrown into the garbage. And that doesn’t include the money you’re spending for your regular menstrual cycle!

What about the HEALTH of your vulvar tissue when you’re wearing a damp liner or pad, or even when it’s not damp, the pad is still limiting the airflow to that area. The constant warm and moist environment can create a recipe for yeast or bacterial infections of the urinary tract or vaginal canal. That ends up tying back to the cost factor above if you need to see your doctor to receive a prescription to treat the infection. Not to mention how uncomfortable having an infection “down there” can be.

Most importantly, LIFESTYLE. Are you avoiding certain activities? Maybe you have stopped going for a jog, even though it’s an activity you used to enjoy for your own physical and mental well-being. Maybe you’re not doing some activities with your kids, such as jumping on the trampoline or running around the park with them. Maybe you’re avoiding social situations because of fear of leakage with laughter.

STOP IT! Realize that leakage is leakage, and your pelvic floor physical therapist can help you take control of these symptoms, and allow you to regain confidence in participating in activities without urinary leakage (no matter how small the leakage may be).

Written by: Renee Hancock, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist