www.everydayhealth.com Open in urlscan Pro
2.22.50.201  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

<form class="newsletter-sign-up__form" novalidate="">
  <div class="newsletter-sign-up__form-fields"><label id="nlsl-1502" for="nlsi-1502" class="newsletter-sign-up__form-label">Enter your email</label>
    <div class="newsletter-sign-up__form-input-wrapper">
      <div class="newsletter-sign-up__form-input-value-wrapper"><input class="newsletter-sign-up__form-input" id="nlsi-1502" aria-labelledby="nlsl-1502" placeholder="Enter your email"><input class="newsletter-sign-up__form-meta"></div>
    </div><button type="submit" class="newsletter-sign-up__form-button edh-btn edh-btn--md edh-btn--secondary edh-btn--regular">Subscribe</button>
  </div>
</form>

<form class="newsletter-sign-up__form" novalidate="">
  <div class="newsletter-sign-up__form-fields"><label id="nlsl-1054" for="nlsi-1054" class="newsletter-sign-up__form-label">Enter your email</label>
    <div class="newsletter-sign-up__form-input-wrapper">
      <div class="newsletter-sign-up__form-input-value-wrapper"><input type="text" value="" class="newsletter-sign-up__form-input" id="nlsi-1054" aria-labelledby="nlsl-1054" placeholder="Enter your email"><input type="text" value=""
          class="newsletter-sign-up__form-meta"></div>
    </div><button type="submit" class="newsletter-sign-up__form-button edh-btn edh-btn--md edh-btn--secondary edh-btn--regular">Subscribe</button>
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

Menu
NewslettersSearch
Health Conditions A-Z
 * Alopecia Areata
 * Breast Cancer
 * Cancer
 * Cold & Flu
 * Coronavirus / COVID-19
 * Crohn's Disease
 * Depression
 * Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
 * Hemorrhoids
 * High Blood Pressure
 * IBS
 * Multiple Sclerosis
 * Psoriasis
 * Rheumatoid Arthritis
 * Type 2 Diabetes
 * Ulcerative Colitis
 * See All

Wellness
 * Best Oils for Skin
 * Complementary Approaches
 * Emotional Wellness
 * Fitness and Exercise
 * Healthy Skin
 * Online Therapy
 * Reiki Healing
 * Resilience
 * Sleep
 * Sexual Health
 * Self Care
 * Yoga Poses
 * See All

Food & Diet
 * Atkins Diet
 * DASH Diet
 * Golo Diet
 * Green Tea
 * Healthy Recipes
 * Intermittent Fasting
 * Intuitive Eating
 * Jackfruit
 * Ketogenic Diet
 * Low-Carb Diet
 * Mediterranean Diet
 * MIND Diet
 * Paleo Diet
 * Plant-Based Diet
 * See All

Video
 * Cancer
 * Coronavirus
 * Diabetes
 * Diet & Nutrition
 * Emotional Health
 * Fitness
 * Multiple Sclerosis
 * Psoriasis
 * See All

Drugs
 * Consumer's Guides: Understand Your Treatments
 * Albuterol Inhalation (Ventolin)
 * Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
 * Azithromycin (Zithromax)
 * CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q-10)
 * Ibuprofen (Advil)
 * Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
 * Lexapro (Escitalopram)
 * Lipitor (Atorvastatin)
 * Lisinopril (Zestril)
 * Norvasc (Amlodipine)
 * Prilosec (Omeprazole)
 * Vitamin D3
 * Xanax (Alprazolam)
 * Zoloft (Sertraline)
 * Drug Reviews
 * See All

Health Tools
 * Body Type Quiz
 * Find a Doctor - EverydayHealth Care
 * Hydration Calculator
 * Menopause Age Calculator
 * Symptom Checker
 * Weight Loss Calculator

News & Alerts
 * See All


HIGH SEAFOOD DIET MAY INCREASE EXPOSURE TO ‘FOREVER CHEMICAL...


COVID-19 VACCINATION NOT TIED TO SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN YOU...

FacebookTwitterPinterest
Copy Link
Incontinence


9 SMART WAYS TO MANAGE A LEAKY BLADDER

Worrying about having the urge to pee and not getting to the bathroom in time
can be incredibly stressful. Fortunately, if you’re experiencing urinary
incontinence, it is possible to go from leaky to leak-free. Here’s how.

By
Katherine Lee
Medically Reviewed
by
Igor Kagan, MD
on May 27, 2023
FacebookTwitterPinterest
Copy Link
9 Smart Ways to Manage a Leaky Bladder

2:28

0 seconds of 2 minutes, 28 secondsVolume 0%

Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabled
Shortcuts Open/Close/ or ?
Play/PauseSPACE
Increase Volume↑
Decrease Volume↓
Seek Forward→
Seek Backward←
Captions On/Offc
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf
Mute/Unmutem
Decrease Caption Size-
Increase Caption Size+ or =
Seek %0-9

Live
02:24
02:28



00:03






facebook twitter Email
Linkhttps://content.jwplatform.com/previews/v5MtRqQ9
Copied
Auto180p1080p720p540p360p270p180p

NEXT UP VIDEO PLAYING IN 10 SECONDS


 


THERE’S NO REASON YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE EMBARRASSING INCONVENIENCE OF A
LEAKY BLADDER.

Dealing with urinary incontinence — bladder leakage that you can’t control?
You’re not alone. Bladder control problems affect millions of men and women of
all ages, according to the Urology Care Foundation, with many of those people
suffering in silence because they feel too shy, awkward, or downright
embarrassed to talk about it with friends, family, and even their doctors. Truth
is, there’s a lot you can do to decrease your risk of urinary incontinence
episodes and avoid accidental leaks.

1


DRINK ENOUGH FLUIDS TO KEEP YOUR BLADDER HAPPY

Thinkstock

Drinking less water and other fluids to decrease your risk of an accident is not
a good idea, says Tomas Griebling, MD, a professor of urology at the University
of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. While it’s true that chugging down a
lot of fluids — especially in a short amount of time — can lead to bladder
leaks, not drinking enough can also make you need to pee suddenly.

“When you don’t drink enough water, the urine becomes more concentrated, and
that can be irritating to the bladder and increase urgency,” explains Dr.
Griebling.

How much fluid is enough varies from person to person, but the National
Association for Continence (NAFC) estimates that six to eight 8-ounce (oz)
glasses of water a day is about the right amount. Checking the color of your
urine can help you know if you’re on target, according to Harvard Health
Publishing. In general, a pale yellow color means you’re adequately hydrated,
while a darker yellow suggests you need to drink more. 

2


EMPTY YOUR BLADDER REGULARLY EVEN IF IT DOESN’T FEEL FULL

iStock

Griebling says that going to the bathroom on a schedule, say, every two to three
hours, even if you don’t feel the urge to urinate, is a good idea for people who
have urinary incontinence or overactive bladder (a condition in which the
bladder can spasm, causing an intense, sudden urge to urinate). Similarly,
emptying your bladder before leaving the house or other venues, such as your
office or a restaurant, even if you don’t feel an urge to go, can diminish
leakage and prevent accidents.

3


PLAN AHEAD: SCOPE OUT BATHROOMS BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

iStock

If you have urinary incontinence, it’s a good idea to know where the bathrooms
are located at unfamiliar destinations, such as restaurants, museums, shopping
centers, and parks. Try finding a map or directory ahead of time online.

4


GAIN INSIGHT INTO YOUR CONDITION WITH A BLADDER DIARY

Giorgio Magini/Stocksy

Keeping track of your bathroom habits with a bladder diary can reveal patterns
and triggers that help your doctor pinpoint the cause of your incontinence,
Griebling says. A few days before your doctor visit, begin writing down what you
drink, what time you drink it, how many times you urinate, and when you have
leaking-urine episodes. Include anything that may have led up to an accident,
such as coughing, exercising, or a sense of urgency.

5


TIGHTEN YOUR PELVIC FLOOR WITH KEGEL EXERCISES

iStock

Kegels, or pelvic floor muscle exercises, can benefit both men and women who
have urinary incontinence by strengthening the muscles that support the bladder.
This, in turn, helps prevent urine leaks and the feeling of urgency that comes
with overactive bladder. And Kegels couldn’t be easier to do: Per the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, simply squeeze or
tighten your pelvic floor muscles — these are the same muscles you use to stop
the flow of urine or passing gas — for a count of three, and then slowly relax
them for a count of three. Kegels are so easy, you can do them anytime — even
while sitting in your car at a stoplight or at your desk at work. Build up to
doing one set of 10 to 15 squeezes, three times a day, and your bladder control
should improve within six weeks.


6


DESTRESS YOUR BLADDER BY LOSING A LITTLE WEIGHT

I Yunmai/Unsplash

You may be able to lower your risk of leaking urine by losing weight. Carrying
extra weight, especially around your middle, puts stress and extra pressure on
the pelvic floor muscles, which then can cause accidental urine leaks,
note experts at The Simon Foundation for Continence. In a landmark study
published in The New England Journal of Medicine, women who lost 17 pounds (lb)
over six months reduced leaking episodes nearly 50 percent, while those who lost
only 3 lb reduced leaking episodes by 28 percent.

7


CUT BACK ON BLADDER-IRRITATING CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL

Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash

Certain foods and beverages might irritate the lining of your bladder, making
you need to sprint to the bathroom more often to avoid peeing on yourself. 
While every bladder irritant doesn’t affect every person, there are two top
culprits: caffeine and alcohol. “Caffeine is bothersome for many people,”
confirms Griebling. “Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, and they can be
irritating to the bladder. I encourage patients to limit caffeine and alcohol
intake to help reduce the urgency they may feel.”

Along with alcohol and beverages with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and cola,
other potential bladder irritants, according to the Johns Hopkins Women’s Center
for Pelvic Health, include:

 * Apples and apple juice
 * Artificial sweeteners
 * Carbonated beverages
 * Chili and spicy foods
 * Chocolate
 * Citrus fruit and juices
 * Cranberries and cranberry juice
 * Milk products
 * Pineapple
 * Sugar and honey
 * Tomatoes
 * Vinegar

You may want to try eliminating one or more of these potential triggers from
your diet for two weeks, then reintroduce them one by one every few days to see
if you notice a difference in your urge to pee, how often you need to go, or the
number of leaks you experience.

8


QUIT SMOKING TO HELP KEEP YOUR BLADDER HEALTHY

iStock

People who have urinary incontinence should do what they can to stop smoking.
“Studies have found that people who smoke are more prone to incontinence,” says
urologist Yvonne Koch, MD, a board-certified urologist in private practice based
in Miami. “Smoking damages the very small blood vessels in our bodies and causes
tissue weakness,” she explains. Furthermore, smoking can lead to coughing, which
can cause urine leakage by putting pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. Plus,
cigarette smoking triples the risk of bladder cancer, an early sign of which may
be the need to urinate often or the urge to urinate immediately, even when the
bladder isn’t full, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

9


REVIEW YOUR MEDICATIONS FOR POTENTIAL TROUBLEMAKERS

Alamy

Many medications can contribute to urinary incontinence, according to Harvard
Health Publishing, including:

 * Diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide (Bumex), which increase
   the production of urine by the kidneys.
 * Muscle relaxants and sedatives, such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam
   (Ativan), which relax the urethra, increasing the need to pee. They also may
   make you less likely to notice when your bladder is full.
 * Narcotics, such as morphine (OMS) and oxycodone (Oxycontin), which relax the
   bladder, causing it to retain urine. This increases the risk of “overflow
   incontinence” (leaking between bathroom visits) because it’s difficult for
   the bladder to empty completely.
 * Antihistamines also relax the bladder.

If you suspect your prescription or over-the-counter medications may be causing
or worsening your incontinence, gather them up and “bring as many of your
medications as possible with you to the doctor,” Griebling advises. That way,
your doctor can determine if any dosages should be changed, if you should stop
taking some of them, or if there are alternative medications without this side
effect.

Learn more in our Managing Urinary Incontinence Guide.


EDITORIAL SOURCES AND FACT-CHECKING

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its
content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources,
including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with
lived experience, and information from top institutions.

RESOURCES

 * What Is Urinary Incontinence? Urology Care Foundation.
 * How Much Water Should You Drink When You Have Incontinence? National
   Association for Continence.
 * Color, Odor Changes in Urine Usually — But Not Always — Harmless, Reports
   Harvard Women’s Health Watch. Harvard Health Publishing. June 1, 2010.
 * Kegel Exercises. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
   Diseases. November 2021.
 * Obesity and Being Overweight. The Simon Foundation for Continence.
 * Subak LL, Wing R, West DS, et al. Weight Loss to Treat Urinary Incontinence
   in Overweight and Obese Women. The New England Journal of Medicine. January
   29, 2009.
 * Bladder Irritants [PDF]. The Johns Hopkins Women’s Center for Pelvic Health.
 * Bladder Cancer Signs and Symptoms. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
 * Medications That Can Cause Urinary Incontinence. Harvard Health Publishing.
   August 28, 2019.

Show Less



MOST RECENT IN INCONTINENCE


5 BIG MISTAKES MIDLIFE WOMEN MAKE WHEN THEY HAVE LEAKY BLADDER


WHY KEGEL EXERCISES JUST AREN’T ENOUGH FOR ADDRESSING PELVIC DYSFUNCTION


THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR MANAGING AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER THROUGH DIET


10 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BLADDER HEALTHY AND HAPPY

NEWSLETTERS


SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTHY LIVING NEWSLETTER!

Enter your email

Subscribe

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


THE LATEST IN INCONTINENCE


5 BIG MISTAKES MIDLIFE WOMEN MAKE WHEN THEY HAVE LEAKY BLADDER

Learn about types of bladder leaks, effective treatments, and the importance of
seeking help.

By Meryl Davids LandauDecember 1, 2023


WHY KEGEL EXERCISES JUST AREN’T ENOUGH FOR ADDRESSING PELVIC DYSFUNCTION

Pelvic pain is more common in women than we think. Learn which treatments and
exercises can help alleviate discomfort.

By Meryl Davids LandauDecember 1, 2023


THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR MANAGING AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER THROUGH DIET

People living with an overactive bladder often can find relief just by changing
their diet. Avoiding things that irritate the bladder, regulating your...

By Dennis Thompson JrJuly 13, 2023


10 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BLADDER HEALTHY AND HAPPY

Improve your bladder health and avoid urologic conditions like incontinence and
UTIs with these helpful tips.

By Eric Metcalf, MPHMay 3, 2023


WHAT IS OVERACTIVE BLADDER? SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND
PREVENTION

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition defined by the frequent, urgent need to
urinate. It can result from different diseases and health conditions.

By Quinn PhillipsFebruary 7, 2023


WHAT IS URINARY INCONTINENCE? SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND
PREVENTION

Urinary incontinence occurs when the muscles in the bladder that control the
flow of urine contract or relax involuntarily.

By Beth LevineDecember 2, 2022


OVERACTIVE BLADDER: CAUSES, RISK FACTORS, AND SYMPTOMS

Overactive bladder is a set of symptoms characterized by the frequent, urgent
need to urinate.

By Quinn PhillipsSeptember 15, 2022


OVERACTIVE BLADDER TREATMENT

Often, treatment for overactive bladder begins with lifestyle changes that can
help your bladder act more predictably. But if lifestyle measures aren’...

By Quinn PhillipsJuly 22, 2022


OVERACTIVE BLADDER DIAGNOSIS

In most cases, overactive bladder isn’t caused by a localized problem that can
be easily detected and treated. This means that to diagnose OAB, your doctor...

By Quinn PhillipsJuly 22, 2022


HOW TO PREVENT AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER

Once your doctor confirms that your episodes of urgency are symptoms of an
overactive bladder rather than a related condition, you’ll want to discuss ...

By Quinn PhillipsJuly 21, 2022
See All



WELLNESS INSPIRED. WELLNESS ENABLED.

FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestYoutubeTikTok
 * About Us
 * Privacy Policy
 * Editorial Policy
 * Terms of Use
 * Meet Our Health Expert Network
 * Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy
 * Careers
 * Accessibility Statement
 * Do Not Sell My Personal Information
 * Contact Us
 * Health Hubs
 * Popular Topics
 * Sitemap
 * AdChoices

NEWSLETTERS


GET THE BEST IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Enter your email

Subscribe

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

A PROPERTY OFEHGLogo
More From Everyday Health: Castle Connolly Top DoctorsDailyOMDiabetes
DailyEveryday Health CareMigraine Again
Everyday Health supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater
diversity in media voices and media ownership.
© 1996-2024 Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. All rights reserved.
Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health,
Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission.All
information on the Everyday Health website is for informational purposes only,
and is not intended to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For
more details, see Everyday Health's Terms of Use.
Badges
Ovarian CancerProstate CancerMacular DegenerationHigh CholesterolHair
LossBipolar DisorderBreast CancerPsoriatic ArthritisHepatitis
CHypertensionCOPDCelebrity Health & WellnessIBSHypothyroidismUlcerative
ColitisExocrine Pancreatic InsufficiencyParkinson's DiseaseAnkylosing
SpondylitisADHDHIV/AIDSAsthmaPsoriasisHeart FailureAnxiety
DisordersStressMigraineMenopauseType 2 DiabetesRheumatoid ArthritisLung
CancerEczemaEndometriosisMultiple SclerosisWeight LossAtrial
FibrillationAlzheimer's DiseaseCrohn's Disease




WE CARE ABOUT YOUR PRIVACY

If you consent, we and our 815 partners can store and access personal
information on your device to provide a more personalised browsing experience.
This is accomplished through processing personal data collected from browsing
data stored in cookies. You can provide/withdraw consent and object to
processing based on a legitimate interest at any time by clicking on the ‘Manage
Preferences’ button.Our Privacy Policy
The personal information may include health and medical condition interest.


WE AND OUR PARTNERS PROCESS DATA TO PROVIDE:

Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and
content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services
development. List of Partners (vendors)

Reject All I Accept
Show Purposes