How to help bladder incontinence?

Im 46 have had two children, my first at 23, and second at 41. I tore with both my children severely which has left major damage and scar tissue. There is a history of Prolapse in my family even though my gyne told me that Im not a surgery option just yet, Im boarder line. I was given medical support through a physio, and use a tense machine regularly. However its made very little difference.

I was a ballet dancer for 16 years, and it’s a misconception that dancers/gymnastics have strong pelvic floors…. I was told by a Consultant Gyne in Uk that women who have stretched their pelvic floor muscles for years dancing/gymnastics have the weakest pelvic muscles, as elastic bands that have been overstretched for years DON’T get tighter they become weaker…. Which is my problem!

I stopped ballet dancing at 19. After my first child I took up an extreme get fit programme. Aerobics 5 days a week and dancing every weekend. I lost 6 stones in one year, and got my weight down to 8 stones, a 24 inch waist and had a six pack!!! So at 32 had the fittest and most tone body I ever had.

But after having my son at 41, more pelvic, vaginal tearing, and abdominal wall distension, Im almost complete bladder incontinent. So I cant, run, even walking causes bladder leakage…. Its upsetting and soul destroying. I cant do abdominal crunches, or lunges either as they weaken the already fragile/overstretched pelvic floor muscles, and when I joined a gym to do low impact muscle toning, my rotated hip problem from doing ballet caused sciatic nerve trapping so I ended up unable to walk….. its really upsetting….

Ive tried yoga to improve flexibility but the rotated hip problem means that I just end up aggravating my siatic nerve. For someone that loved dancing, movement a good body shape, my situation is very upsetting, I look and feel like an egg. So any advice would be gratefully received.

[sound]

Hi gerrigirl
I danced for 20 yrs or so too ... Ballet like you ... went back to it once or twice but it is history now, except for flitting around a little at home. I wasn't aware of the damage it can do to pelvic floor muscles. I have had spinal surgery not so long ago and the condition i had was also aggravated by ballet.
I have had 2 children ... the last one 22 yrs ago ... there is a condition in which the uterus falls forward and puts pressure on other 'bits' ... that can be corrected by surgery, especially successful with people under 50yrs ... maybe ask your GP for a referral to a specialist who can test to see if that is part of the problem ...

[sound]

I just realized you spoke about prolapse first up ... not sure how I missed that ... my apologies ...

Is the tense machine the same as kegel weights? Kegel weights are supposed to help with prolapsed uterus and incontinence. If you google kegel weights, you'll get lots of hits and different brands and vendors.

Originally Posted by iolite

Is the tense machine the same as kegel weights? Kegel weights are supposed to help with prolapsed uterus and incontinence. If you google kegel weights, you'll get lots of hits and different brands and vendors.

Hello there thank you for your reply, Ive tired using ben wa balls, but I found it painfull to urinate while they were in. It felt the same as having systitus, it was painful and the urine would dribble out very slowly for about 10 minutes, while having pelvic cramps. I used them for about two weeks, and then found they kept falling out and had to keep pushing them back up inside, but I have to admit when wearing them I didnt pee involentarily as much, but the peeing thing became a real problem, and so going to the loo meant I had to lay on the toilet foor to be able to push them back up. Are these the same as the option you are suggesting?

Originally Posted by gerrygirl

Hello there thank you for your reply, Ive tired using ben wa balls, but I found it painfull to urinate while they were in. It felt the same as having systitus, it was painful and the urine would dribble out very slowly for about 10 minutes, while having pelvic cramps. I used them for about two weeks, and then found they kept falling out and had to keep pushing them back up inside, but I have to admit when wearing them I didnt pee involentarily as much, but the peeing thing became a real problem, and so going to the loo meant I had to lay on the toilet foor to be able to push them back up. Are these the same as the option you are suggesting?

No, not at all, I'm talking about vaginal weights.

http://www.nationalincontinence.com/...Fcnc4AodOAsROw

[Sarian]

It really sounds like you need surgery if it's that bad. I can't think of any exercises that can fix that. :-(

As for prolapased, really I thought surgery was the only answer for that.

[Silver]

Definitely time for a 2nd opinion.

it does sound like you need to visit a surgeon for their opinion. I've had 5 babies & I don't have any problem at all.
I have heard that pilates is great for the pelvic floor,as is weight training but by the sounds of the severity of your problem maybe you need to have it fixed 1st & then use these methods to maintain & strengthen?
Good luck. xx

Have you seen a urologist? Have they offered any helpful treatment options? Sorry to hear you are having to go through this. Here's a good website with treatment options http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uri...ents-and-drugs