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Could jeans be ruining your pelvic floor? And could eating eggs at brunch really irritate your bladder?
Dr. Jenny Kruger, a world-renowned expert on pelvic floors and leaky bladders, who has conducted over 15 years of research on the topic, is here to separate fact from fiction when it comes to myths surrounding incontinence. feminine.
She discovers that most women are woefully misinformed about their bodies and is on a mission to change this.
Poor pelvic floor health problems are common. According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG), more than 60 per cent of women in the UK have at least one symptom of poor pelvic floor health.
Certain jeans can affect incontinence and put you at risk for prolapse. Experts say it may be advisable for people with bladder problems to opt for looser-fitting jeans.
“Leaks are common, but they’re not normal and it’s not something women have to endure,” said Dr. Kruger, co-founder of JUNOFEM, a medical technology company that just launched a leakage device in the United Kingdom. pelvic floor training, femfit®. .
‘Many women experience symptoms of both urgency and stress incontinence, especially as we age.
‘The good news is that there is something that can be done about it.
“And this starts with reliable information, such as debunking myths.”
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles located between the tailbone and the pubic bone, which supports the intestine and bladder (both men and women have one).
However, in women it also strengthens the uterus and vagina.
There are many misconceptions about the pelvic floor and what affects its strength and function, starting with what we eat and drink.
Dr. Jenny Kruger (pictured left) is a world-renowned expert on pelvic floors and leaky bladders, with over 15 years of research under her belt. She discovers that most women are woefully misinformed about their bodies and is on a mission to change this. The pelvic floor experts are co-founders of JUNOFEM, (pictured right), a medical technology company that has just launched a pelvic floor training device, femfit®, in the UK.
1: TOO MUCH CAFFEINE IS BAD FOR YOUR BLADDER
Unfortunately, this is not a myth.
Caffeinated drinks are known to affect the bladder, although coffee is worse than tea, so that’s a small consolation.
However, Dr. Kruger adds that this problem is not always due to the effect of caffeine, especially in the case of carbonated drinks.
Sometimes it is due to the sugar content, artificial chemicals, and carbonated water added to drinks.
She said: ‘Drinks like coffee are known to irritate the bladder.
“However, most of the time it is sugar and other additives that irritate the bladder, but also increase the risk of obesity, which in turn causes pelvic floor problems and incontinence.”
You also don’t need to stop drinking coffee completely (unless a doctor recommends it).
Dr Kruger says: ‘It’s all about moderation. Don’t eliminate these things completely, and if you experience symptoms (drops or needing to run to the bathroom) then it would be a good idea to reduce them.
“Tea is probably the best way to do it.”
While many foods can irritate the bladder, eggs are not one of them. But you have to be careful with alcohol and chocolate.
2: DON’T ORDER EGGS AT BRUNCH
Fortunately, while many foods can irritate the bladder, eggs are not one of them.
She said: “I have not seen any research that indicates that eating fatty foods or eggs poses an increased risk of incontinence.”
‘There are some associations with cholesterol and a leaky bladder, but this is more due to the fact that people with higher cholesterol tend to also be obese.
“Don’t stop eating the food you love because of this false myth: It’s not worth it.”
According to Origin, a new women’s health company, there are some foods to be careful with.
Alcohol, chocolate and dairy products, as well as fruits containing fructose, are high on the list of foods and drinks to minimize in an attempt to stop a leaky bladder.
Dr Kruger said: “Eating more vegetables, a high-fibre diet and avoiding constipation are good ways to improve bladder health.”
3: ARE YOUR JEANS IMPACTING YOUR BLADDER?
Unfortunately, this is (partially) true.
But don’t throw away the denim just yet, as it depends on the style.
She said: ‘Jeans that squeeze the abdomen can increase pressure on the pelvic floor and worsen any pre-existing problems.
‘If you opt for clothing that puts too much pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, you run the risk of incontinence and, worse, prolapse.
“(But) it’s not necessarily ‘wrong’ to wear these types of jeans or pants, and if you can do some exercises to help strengthen these muscles, then it may not be a problem at all.”
Dr. Kruger says it may be advisable for people with bladder weakness to opt for looser-fitting jeans or consult their doctor for further advice.
4: EXERCISE IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER
Specific products created specifically to address incontinence can be crucial in helping you strengthen or maintain a strong pelvic floor.
For example, femfit has a unique pressure sensor system that has been clinically shown to resolve up to 80 percent of urinary incontinence symptoms.
However, exercise is also key.
That said, high-intensity workouts can sometimes do more harm than good to your pelvic floor.
It’s about choosing the most appropriate exercise to improve your health and fitness, without compromising your pelvic floor.
Dr Kruger said: ‘(As an example), if you leak, even a little, when you go for a run, continuing to do this is not going to help you.
‘Instead, look for other exercises that give you a good workout, without posing any risk of accidents.
‘Of course, as human beings, we all look for easy ways and quick fixes, but the truth is that if you want to train any muscle in the body, then you need to work on it.
‘Yoga and Pilates are good for training flexibility and are known to activate the pelvic floor muscles.
“But they are not a substitute for directly targeted exercises that can significantly reduce incontinence symptoms.
‘It takes time, but it’s important to not only train the pelvic floor, but also learn the difference between tightening those muscles and lifting them, as well as relaxing them.
“Once you do it, it’ll be like a light bulb went off.”
Dr. Kruger cautions that although some experts recommend specific yoga poses, more research is needed to determine which poses might offer the most benefits.
As always, talk to your GP if you are unsure.
Experts say you should not drink more than two liters of water unless you are exercising intensely or in very hot conditions.
5: WATER IS THE ENEMY
Drinking too much water can be a problem if you go overboard (more than two liters a day is not recommended unless you are exercising vigorously or in extreme heat), but drinking water should not be avoided either.
Dr Kruger said: “Some women reduce their water intake too much to avoid the possibility of leaks.”
But be careful not to overdo it.
“Lack of fluid increases the risk of urinary tract infections and dehydration.”
Limit yourself to a maximum of eight glasses a day unless otherwise directed by a medical professional, he says.
Dr Kruger added: “If you have any involuntary leakage that does not respond to effective pelvic floor exercises, you should consult a health professional.
‘NICE guidelines recommend that women be offered pelvic floor muscle training as a first-line treatment for “leaking bladder: incontinence.”
“It is equally important that pelvic floor muscle exercises are effective, of sufficient intensity and maintained for at least 12 weeks.”