Living with bladder leaks doesn’t mean you can no longer step out in style. You absolutely can still be that head-turning fashionista; just put a bit of thought into what you pull off the rack. The right gear will not only have you looking good, it also will make living with bladder leaks even easier. Take the time to try things on, move in them to see how they feel and have fun creating a wardrobe that is as fashionable as it is practical. It’s possible!
Before we get into the style specifics, let’s talk about some sensible things to keep in mind when selecting any garment. The choice between something that uncomfortably binds and something that literally takes the pressure off can mean the difference between bladder comfort and feeling like you’re going to burst at the seams. Don’t make things tough on yourself by thinking you need to squeeze into something in order to look good!
Keep things loose
Flowy skirts and dresses and pants with forgiving waistbands let you breathe easy and keep the constriction off your midsection. Makes sense that giving the area around your bladder a break means more comfort and less concern. Think cotton dresses when the weather is warm and pajama-like pants with elastic waistbands that have just a bit of fit when you want to feel comfy.
Stock up on stretchy leggings
This wardrobe workhorse can dress up or down with ease. They work with long shirts, dresses and skirts and are available in all kinds of colors and prints. The forgiving fit moves with you, and they tend to be really affordable. Get several pairs, and you have the foundation of fun outfits you can make as formal or informal as you like. And don’t forget the cozy fleece-lined options to get you through the fall and winter!
The world of comfy pants
Yoga pants, sweatpants, even maternity pants. Yep, they can stretch easily and move with you, and there’s no worry about pressure or pinching. Be sure to try them on first, however. Some styles may have a supportive structure that can be pretty tight. No need for that squeeze. There are even very stylish pull-on jeans that have the look of fashion denim but the fit and feel of sweats. No zippers, no buttons, and many still have pockets!
Think substance and style
Denser, durable fabrics can withstand frequent washings. That’s a welcome attribute for garments that may be hitting the laundry on a weekly basis. Today’s athleisure, athletic and active wear are made from all kinds of innovative fabric blends that provide substance and style without being bulky.
Don’t be afraid of the dark
Basic black, classic navy, deep gray—these colors are both flattering and a bit forgiving should you experience a leak. Pairing dark leggings, for example, with a longer-cut sweater or blouse is a great look, and it affords a little reassurance if you have a moment where you need to step away and check the status of things.
Pattern recognition
Similar to solid colors, think darker with your patterned fabric selection. Patterned pants, capris and slacks can be really helpful with concealing leaks should you find yourself in an unexpected situation. Pair them with an eye-catching top, like a scoop-neck sweater in a bold color that draws attention up.
Get an A+ in skirts
A-line skirts fit the waist nicely, while giving you a sophisticated shape as well! Skirts also make it easy to change protective products like underwear and pads should the need arise and you have to step into a nearby restroom.
Better dress decisions
The classic maxi dress can go from flirty to formal, fitting nicely above the waist and having more freedom and flow below. There are all kinds of patterns, colors, sleeve lengths and necklines available. You can dress it up quickly with a stylish jacket and boots, or keep it playful with sandals and a light cardigan or blouse. And the maxi dress has the same advantages as a skirt—it’s so easy to quickly freshen up or replace leak protection when you need to.
Now let’s hit the boutiques with fewer worries about leaks!
Most of us love the anticipation of travel. We look forward to new experiences and making memories.
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As smart, informed, empowered women, living with an overactive bladder is something we can manage effectively.
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Don't put your life on hold. These 6 smart strategies can help.
Read moreSend us a message with your questions and problems, and we will get back to you as soon as we can with an answer!
As smart, informed, empowered women, living with an overactive bladder is something we can manage effectively. Armed with the right leak protection products, a smart hydration strategy, and a can-do attitude, we can get through the day with comfort and confidence. It’s when we call it a day that our approach to managing an overactive bladder might need to change.
Plenty of research points to the fact that good sleep is essential to good health. It has been proven to improve brain performance, elevate mood, and help the body recover from each day’s physical demands. Lack of quality sleep can greatly increase the risk of diseases and disorders such as heart disease, stroke, obesity and even dementia. And while the amount of sleep you get is important, its arguable that sleep quality (meaning uninterrupted, refreshing sleep) is even more so.
Addressing the impact of an overactive bladder on sleep can be approached from different perspectives. You might be awakened by the urge to use the bathroom. Someone else might wake up after an involuntary leak. Those with a pattern of poor sleep wake up easily and then realize they have to go. And that’s an important distinction.
Waking up to urinate at night is known as nocturia, and it’s more about feeling the urge than it is about having a full bladder. Conversely, having a full bladder that involuntarily empties and wakes you up after wetting the bed can have all kinds of contributing causes. It’s worth recognizing the difference and discussing the distinction with your doctor, even though any of these circumstances can be the cause of a bad night’s sleep.
Typically, the amount of urine in our bodies decreases and becomes more concentrated at night. That’s why we can sleep seven or eight hours and not have to get up to use the bathroom. An overactive bladder or nocturia, however, can repeatedly disrupt our sleep and lead us to becoming dangerously overtired. Whether you are waking up to go several times a night or being woken up because you’re suddenly going, it costs you the good sleep anyone needs to be their best.
The good news is there are simple steps you can take to either reduce overnight urges that make you hop out of bed or take the disruptive discomfort out of overnight accidents. These, combined with candid conversations with your doctor, can go a long way toward your having a restful night.
There’s no need to endure night after restless night due to an overactive bladder or nocturia. Make some simple adjustments to your pre-bedtime routine, be prepared with the right kind of protection and you’re sure to increase the odds that overnight is more about getting zees and less about going pee.
Most of us love the anticipation of travel. We look forward to new experiences and making memories.
Read more
Living with bladder leaks doesn’t mean you can no longer step out in style.
Read more
Don't put your life on hold. These 6 smart strategies can help.
Read moreSend us a message with your questions and problems, and we will get back to you as soon as we can with an answer!
You’ve probably heard or seen the term “pH balance” in advertisements for skin care products without ever really thinking about its importance. But if you experience bladder leaks, it’s time to learn! Here’s why.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It acts as a protective barrier to the outside world while maintaining fluid levels and regulating temperature inside the body. With such an important job, skin needs to stay balanced and healthy. That’s where pH comes into the picture.
The term pH stands for “potential hydrogen”—a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in any substance, which determines how acidic or nonacidic (alkaline) something is. The pH scale consists of 14 numbers, where the lower numbers are acidic and the higher numbers are alkaline. The number 7 on the scale is considered neutral, meaning it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
The outer layer of the skin forms a slightly acidic protection layer known as the “acid mantle.” When it’s on the level, it helps ward off bacterial growth and anything else that can damage your skin. But if it is disrupted, problems can occur. If you’re dealing with incontinence, that means maintaining the right skin pH in your vaginal area is especially important.
Ideally, skin is at its best when there is a balance between its acidity and alkalinity—with a slight preference for the acidic side. In your genitals, a pH level between 5 and 7 typically indicates your skin’s barrier is doing its job. While it isn’t easy to figure out the pH of your skin down there, if something isn’t right, your skin will usually let you know.
For those of us who leak, that can mean anything from minor discomfort to something more serious like incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). Excess moisture and prolonged exposure to urine can cause the skin’s pH level to become too alkaline and result in redness, peeling, irritation and greater risk of bacterial infection. Fortunately, the right bladder leak protection products and sensible skin care can help ensure skin is healthy and more resistant.
In addition to wearing absorbent, breathable, comfortable leak protection that quickly wicks moisture away from skin, using specially formulated incontinence products can help to promote good skin health and ensure the pH level is maintained. For example, liners, pads and underwear infused with baking soda offer a safe, natural buffer. As a buffer, it tends to cause acid solutions to become more basic and basic solutions to become more acid. Tests have shown these products can help neutralize the acidity of urea and ammonia in urine—as well as naturally neutralize odor more quickly—and help maintain a stable pH balance.
Then there’s basic skin care. If you’re changing incontinence products often (and you should be!), you’re probably taking special care to also wash the perineal area at the same time. Although frequent washing may seem like a good idea, exposing your skin to alkaline soaps, detergents or products containing alcohol and other harsh chemicals can disrupt the protective function of the skin.
It’s important to choose gentle ways to cleanse and refresh that are specifically designed to protect your perineal and genital skin. Check the labels for ingredients that ensure proper cleansing without causing dryness, irritation or pH imbalance. One option is personal wipes that also offer the natural buffering abilities of baking soda to help prevent urine and sweat from damaging the natural acid mantle.
You may never have really thought about pH before or wanted to learn what it means for your skin health. But knowledge is powerful. Now that you know, you’re better prepared than ever to maximize your care, comfort and confidence while managing incontinence. And that takes living a full active life to the next level!
As modern women, we’re lucky to live at a time when advances in science, technology and manufacturing have made living with bladder leaks so much more convenient.
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If you’re wearing anything to help shield against bladder leaks, moisture and friction can create problems.
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Are you worrying about whether or not you are smelling clean and fresh?
Read moreSend us a message with your questions and problems, and we will get back to you as soon as we can with an answer!
As modern women, we’re lucky to live at a time when advances in science, technology and manufacturing have made living with bladder leaks so much more convenient. But one universal concern still lingers . . . literally. Despite the range of available options for controlling bladder leaks and preventing accidents, we still worry about odor.
For many of us, the risk—real or imagined—that leaks leave a detectable odor is so concerning that it limits our activities, affects our relationships, increases anxiety, makes us hypervigilant or causes us to overspend on products that promise to mask it. And that really doesn’t work for a variety of reasons.
Many manufacturers add a masking fragrance to incontinence liners, pads, underwear, wipes and surface protectors. While some people might find this pleasant, most realize that covering up an undesirable odor by introducing a more powerful scent does nothing to deodorize or eliminate the problem—or provide reassurance in social situations! It just adds an even more noticeable smell into the environment. These added perfumes and masking compounds also can cause skin irritation.
The good news is by understanding why pee smells and adopting some small behavioral changes, you can safely and naturally minimize odor and have a lot less to worry about!
According to Mayo Clinic, urine mainly consists of water. It’s the amount and concentration of various waste products excreted by the kidneys that cause urine odor. Urine with a lot of water and few waste products is pale yellow or clear and has little to no smell.
That said, there are a variety of things that can make your pee smell stronger. These include:
Less often, unusually smelly pee (and other changes in urine or in bladder habits) can be caused by other conditions such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), type 2 diabetes or kidney stones. In those cases, don’t wait. Go see the doctor!
Simple little habit changes can be key to not just eliminating odor from bladder leaks but also eliminating all that worry and social anxiety! Most of this advice you’ve probably heard before: in addition to eliminating coffee, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, alcohol and notoriously odor-causing foods like garlic and asparagus, you can reduce pee odor by making sure you stay hydrated.
Not drinking enough water can concentrate your urine and make the smell more potent. Six to eight glasses of water a day is still the recommendation. If that sounds like a lot to take in, the National Association for Continence offers these suggestions for making it easier to increase your water intake:
There are several different substances that can help actually neutralize and absorb odors, versus just covering them up. We’re partial to the odor-absorbing capabilities of baking soda— a naturally occurring substance that is present in all living things and helps maintain the pH balance necessary for life. Baking soda deodorizes by bringing both acidic and basic odor molecules into a neutral, more odor-free state, making it one of the best items you can use to eliminate bad smells.
When you buy disposable bladder-leak protection, look for products that are fragrance-free and contain no harsh chemicals. Read the package carefully. See if they feature some kind of odor-control technology or odor-reducing material and exactly what that means. Strong, man-made chemicals can cause a variety of problems, and synthetic perfumes contain a host of undisclosed ingredients that can lead to irritation and dermatological issues. So, odor control shouldn’t consist of a perfume or strong chemical compound, but something that actually prevents odor from developing in the first place.
Naturally, those of us with bladder control problems also need to be diligent with personal care and hygiene. If you pee unexpectedly, be sure to wash and dry yourself thoroughly and put on clean clothing. You may want to look for cleansers that are specially designed for women with incontinence. Typically, they are gentler and kinder to sensitive skin.
In the laundry, vinegar and baking soda are great to add into the wash to ensure your belongings smell fresh. Rely on a generous mattress protector—preferably one with extra-absorbent layers and built-in natural odor control—for a peaceful and more pleasant night’s sleep.
Finally, don’t forget the air around your home. It also deserves attention. Use an air freshener that neutralizes odors, not one that leaves a strong smell of perfume. Potpourri and incense, available in grocery stores, drug stores and card shops, will keep your house smelling fresh. If you prefer a more natural option, use an odor eliminating spray made with your favorite essential oils. Or if weather permits, open those windows to let the fresh air in and get it circulating.
You’ll soon enjoy the sweet smell of success when it comes to living with bladder leaks both odor and worry free!
You’ve probably heard or seen the term “pH balance” in advertisements for skin care products without ever really thinking about its importance. But if you experience bladder leaks, it’s time to learn! Here’s why.
Read more
If you’re wearing anything to help shield against bladder leaks, moisture and friction can create problems.
Read more
Are you worrying about whether or not you are smelling clean and fresh?
Read moreSend us a message with your questions and problems, and we will get back to you as soon as we can with an answer!
Walking into an interview for a new job, getting ready for a party you’ve spent weeks anticipating, having the boss over for dinner—these are all scenarios where anyone might be feeling a bit nerved up. And if you happen to have incontinence, you already know that those extra jitters can mean you’re more likely to experience bladder leaks. You just might not know why or how.
Do you experience more leaks when you get nervous, or are you getting nervous because you’re worried about dealing with more leaks?
The stress-leak connection can be a two-way street. One National Institute of Health study noted that almost half of those living with urinary incontinence report symptoms of anxiety. And close to 25 percent of that group report levels of anxiety that are moderate to severe. Meanwhile, a European study of more than 16,000 women found that those dealing with symptoms of anxiety or depression demonstrated as much as two times the likelihood of developing urinary incontinence.
Talk about a classic vicious cycle!
Medical research has yet to determine the exact reason why anxiety contributes to an increase in urinary incontinence and vice versa, but there are two prevailing theories:
Stress stimulates the fight-or-flight response
If you’re a woman with an overactive bladder, involuntary reflexes can increase leaks. Being in a job interview, attending a formal event or having to make a presentation or perform in front of a large audience—settings where anyone is bound to feel a bit more nervous—can heighten your fight-or-flight response. This can increase the sensitivity of the nervous system and interfere with voluntary muscle control involving the bladder.
Stress increases muscle tension
Everything from the grinding frustrations of daily life to moments of major personal panic—like an unexpected visit from the in-laws or letter from the IRS—can cause stress to surge, which in turn can affect muscles. The abdominal muscles may tighten in this process, leading to a greater need to pee. This stress also often means we have more trouble sleeping, and difficulty sleeping means an increase in the need to get up and pee in the middle of the night—the frustrating phenomenon known as nocturia.
Regardless of whether stress causes more bladder leaks, or more bladder leaks increase stress, the anxiety caused by incontinence can make living with it even more challenging. Equipped with an understanding of the connection, proactively taking steps to better manage stress makes sense. You can find great guidance on getting started with a self-care strategy here.
Life is always going to serve up its share of challenges, but simple steps like exercise, meditation or breathwork and being part of a more caring, empathetic community will definitely go a long way toward helping keep stress in check.
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Make more informed decisions about what’s best for you.
Read moreSend us a message with your questions and problems, and we will get back to you as soon as we can with an answer!
