I have a little secret I’ve been carrying around for too long.
It started off innocently at first, and then it became harder to hide. Those close to me began to notice something. They began to notice that I didn’t laugh as much, that I developed an unusual fear of coughs and anything that would make me sneeze. Trampolines became no-go zones and any sudden movements resulted in quick visits to the bathroom.
Now I’m finally ready to share my secret with the world because I’ve finally realised just how common my little problem is.
Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Lights by Tena. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.
The first time I accidentally wet myself was when I was pregnant with my first child. I was 28 and it was quite early in the pregnancy. It was funny at the time. Every crazy side-effect of pregnancy was funny. Ha, I wet myself. Ha, I just ate celery and chocolate together. Ha, I farted when I bent down. Ha, my belly button has popped out.
Then I gave birth to my first child, and the light bladder leakage continued. My son turned six months…still wetting myself. Then he turned one and yep, still happening.
Let me just say…not so funny anymore.
Light bladder leakage was not something I was prepared for. I was too young. I was too fit. And I was scared to go to the doctor or talk to friends.
And it wasn’t like a gentle little escape of fluid. Here’s how it would usually occur. I’d laugh, sneeze or cough suddenly and feel a gush of warmth ‘down there’ followed by a rush of warmth across my face because I’d just wet myself a bit and was so incredibly embarrassed. And it wasn’t just a trickle. It was enough to make me feel uncomfortable. I desperately started doing pelvic floor exercises every day, several times a day.
The bladder leakage improved as I recovered from my pregnancy and after my new-found devotion to the pelvic floors, but I must confess that my son has just turned six and it’s still happening to me. But you know what? I’m not the only one. I started looking online on forums and I soon found that I wasn’t the only one.
So many things can cause light bladder leakage. Check these out:
- Pregnancy;
- Obesity;
- Exercise.
These are the official culprits. But let me add a few of my own:
- Bending down to the bottom shelf of a supermarket;
- Jumping on a trampoline with my son;
- When my husband sneaks up on me at home;
- Star jumps;
- Sneezing;
- Coughing;
- Shouting at my son’s soccer games;
- Sitting down too suddenly.
Light bladder leakage isn’t just for pregnant women and older women, it happens to young women too. There are so many causes from pregnancy and obesity which causes pressure on the pelvic floor and even certain exercises can bring it on.
So if this is happening to you, let me assure you that it’s nothing to feel ashamed of and it is quite manageable. (Okay, yes, I am writing this post anonymously but only because I have some male family members who just won’t be able to resist making jokes at my expense but the joke is on them).
There are way worse things than bladder leakage and it doesn’t have to stop you doing anything, even star jumps. Just use the right products and then go about your day. And never feel bladder leakage shame again because you’re not the only one your age who is padding up and pelvic flooring. And you won’t be the last.
PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. Take a look at some of the secrets people have sent in …
How did your body change after pregnancy, did you feel like the only one it was happening to?
Australian females are highly reluctant to talk about the’ little problem they don’t have,’ so lights by TENA® have launched an educational campaign to help women understand the problem, and empower them with the tools to overcome it.We want to inspire and encourage you to make a little effort each day to strengthen your pelvic floor so that your light bladder leaks become less frequent, less serious, or even stop completely.
We don’t really want you to be a customer for life, because we’ve seen the impact that it can have.
In the meantime, we’ll continue to make life easier with products that are more effective, less intrusive and more discreet. Products that are better solutions than ‘make do’ options, and that come in packaging you won’t be embarrassed to put in your supermarket basket. Because while you’re getting your light bladder leaks under control, you don’t want the whole world to know about it.
The lights by TENA range is specially designed for light bladder leaks. They are surprisingly thin, yet absorb faster than most period liners.
What makes lights by TENA special?
o Fresh Fast Crystals which are ultra-absorbing, to quickly lock away moisture and neutralise odour.
o Surprisingly thin, with contoured body shape for a better fit.
o Quick dry top sheet that keeps you fresh.
Whether it’s a few drops here and there, or more than a little dribble, there’s a lights by TENA liner that’s right for you.
Available at Woolworths, Coles and IGA.
Top Comments
I too just want to endorse the benefits of seeing a trained health professional in treating incontinence – commonly referred to as “bladder leakage”, “light bladder leakage - LBL” or “weak bladder”. In my role at the Continence Foundation of Australia, my area of expertise enables me to share clinically-based insights that should empower women to tackle incontinence as they would any other health problem. While I understand a product manufacturer has paid for this post, I think it is important to present an alternative view based on well-established facts.
Fact: 1 in 3 women who have ever had a baby will wet themselves.
Fact: The risk of incontinence increases the more children you have.
Fact: Most cases of incontinence can be prevented, cured or better managed.
Fact: Pelvic floor muscle exercises have shown to be effective in treating incontinence.
Fact: Incontinence is common (it’s more prevalent than anxiety and asthma), but it is NOT normal.
While pregnancy and childbirth place women at greater risk of developing incontinence, other contributing factors include diet and some exercises. Studies also show 98 per cent of women also fail to do the recommended level of pelvic floor exercises every day, or are doing the exercises incorrectly. That’s why it’s important to get the correct advice, rather than paying money for products that may not even be
necessary. Addressing the problem early can also assist treatment and prevent
the issue from getting worse, particularly with the birth of subsequent children.
Fortunately there are many trained specialists who can help women regain control, often without resorting to buying products. The Australian Government’s free National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) is staffed by continence nurses who can provide confidential advice, resources and referrals to local continence specialists. You can also go to continence.org.au for more information and links to our free safe
exercise and pregnancy apps. So the next time you are in the supermarket aisle
and about to reach for incontinence pads, reach out for help instead.
I too just want to endorse the benefits of seeing a trained health professional in treating incontinence – commonly (and incorrectly) referred to as “bladder leakage”, “light bladder leakage - LBL” or “weak bladder”. My role at the Continence Foundation of Australia enables me to share clinically-based insights that should empower women to tackle incontinence as they would any other health problem. While I understand a product manufacturer has paid for this post, I think it is important to present an alternative view based on well-established facts.
Fact: 1 in 3 women who have ever had a baby will wet themselves.
Fact: The risk of incontinence increases the more children you have.
Fact: Most cases of incontinence can be prevented, cured or better managed.
Fact: Pelvic floor muscle exercises have shown to be effective in treating incontinence.
Fact: Incontinence is common (it’s more prevalent than anxiety and asthma), but it is NOT normal.
While pregnancy and childbirth place women at greater risk of developing incontinence, other contributing factors include diet and some exercises. Studies also show 98 per cent of women also fail to do the recommended level of pelvic floor exercises every day, or are doing the exercises incorrectly. That’s why it’s important to get the correct advice, rather than pay money for products that may not even be
necessary. Addressing the problem early can also assist treatment and prevent
the issue from getting worse, particularly with the birth of subsequent children.
Fortunately there are many trained specialists who can help women regain control, often without resorting to buying products. The Australian Government’s free National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) is staffed by continence nurses who can provide confidential advice, resources and referrals to local continence specialists. You can also go to continence.org.au for more information and links to our free safe
exercise and pregnancy apps. So the next time you are in the supermarket aisle
and about to reach for incontinence pads, reach out for help instead.