Understanding Bladder Incontinence During Your Period: Causes and Solutions Explained

There are plenty of uncomfortable symptoms associated with your menstrual cycle, including hormonal breakouts, mood swings, and abdominal cramps. But what about bladder leakage?

Some women who don't typically experience urinary incontinence find they may leak urine during their period. This is sometimes referred to as cyclical incontinence. Additionally, some women's usual incontinence symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle.

From hormonal changes to the use of menstrual products, there are plenty of reasons why this happens to thousands of women every month.

Here at Jude, we aim to destigmatise this common condition by providing valuable resources. In this article, we'll delve into the common causes as well as some of the most effective solutions.

A Closer Look at Bladder Incontinence

Bladder incontinence can be described as a loss of bladder control, resulting in involuntary leaks. There are three main types of incontinence, including:

• Stress incontinence - caused by physical actions, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, and lifting heavy objects.

• Urge incontinence - preceded by the sudden, uncontrollable urge to pee.

• Mixed incontinence - a mixture of stress and urge incontinence

• Overflow incontinence – occurs when the bladder doesn’t empty properly, causing frequent dribbling of urine.

Some of the associated urinary symptoms of incontinence include frequent urination, sudden urges to pee, and having to wake up during the night to urinate.

How Common is Bladder Incontinence During Period?

Between 25-45% of women experience some form of urinary incontinence, with hormonal fluctuations during menstruation potentially exacerbating symptoms in certain individuals.

For some, urine leakage can happen during the first few days of the menstrual cycle when your flow is usually the heaviest and hormonal fluctuations are at their peak.

However, leaks can happen at any time, including mid-cycle (when progesterone rises) and even outside of menstruation depending on how sensitive each individual is to hormones.

3 Common Causes of Period-Related Bladder Incontinence

Why is it that some of us may experience increased incontinence during our periods? Some explanations may be simple while others can be more complex. While the exact cause differs from person to person, let's have a look at some of the contributing factors.

1. Use of period products

Inserting menstrual products, such as tampons and menstrual cups, can sometimes increase the sensation of pressure in the pelvic area. This may contribute to discomfort or in some cases mild urinary leakage, especially if there is an underlying pelvic floor weakness.

However, urine leaks when using a tampon could also be a sign of bladder prolapse, also known as a cystocele. This is a condition where weakened vaginal walls cause the bladder to shift from its normal position.

If you notice regular leakage or discomfort with tampon use, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider to rule out pelvic floor issues such as prolapse.

2. Increased sensitivity and urgency

Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can increase bladder sensitivity and this may lead to an increase in urgency (the need to pee straight away) which itself can lead to involuntary leakage.

3. Estrogen levels drop

Estrogen plays an integral role in women's health and wellness and this hormone influences periods and pregnancy. During your menstrual cycle, oestrogen levels fluctuate with low estrogen levels just before your period. This drop in estrogen can contribute to temporarily weakening the pelvic floor muscles surrounding your bladder and other pelvic organs.

Risk Factors

You may be at higher risk of experiencing cyclical incontinence if you have experienced pregnancy and childbirth. The physical changes and increased abdominal pressure during pregnancy can contribute to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which may affect bladder control.

Some of the other risk factors include:

• Damage to the pelvic floor muscles due to trauma

• Obesity, as the excess weight can put pressure on the bladder

• A history of urinary tract infections

• Neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis

• Chronic constipation

• Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

7 Solutions for Managing Bladder Incontinence

If you experience cyclical incontinence, the good news is that there are plenty of treatment options and ways to manage your condition. Let's have a look at some of the most effective solutions.

1. Pelvic floor exercises

Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles through pelvic floor exercises is an excellent way to help you regain bladder control. A pelvic floor physiotherapist will be able to teach you the right techniques for performing these exercises, which you can practice at home.

2. Bladder support supplements

Some women choose to take bladder care supplements, like the ones offered by Jude,. Some women find they help support their bladder health. However, before starting a new supplement you must seek advice from your doctor who can advise you on whether it would be a good option for you and it should not be taken if you are currently trying for a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding.

3. Leak-proof underwear

Jude's leak-proof pants have been designed to absorb approximately eight teaspoons of pee. This is the ideal solution for those who are worried about staying dry throughout the day. These odour-neutralising pants are also machine washable and have waterproof sides to prevent any leaks from escaping! You may wish to use period solutions such as tampons alongside leak-proof underwear if leaks are an issue on your period.

4. Incontinence pads

Jude's comfortable bamboo pads are perfect for medium leaks and everyday wear. Not only are they made from plant-based materials, but they are also thin and highly absorbent. These pads are designed for you to feel confident throughout your daily life. Again you may wish to use these alongside tampons or a menstrual cup.

5. Stay away from bladder irritants

Did you know that caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee can irritate your bladder? Staying away from bladder stimulants, especially during your period, can help minimise your leaks. Some of the foods and drinks you should try to stay away from include:

• Alcohol

• Coffee

• Tea

• Energy drinks

• Spicy foods

• Acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes

• Artificial sweeteners

6. Healthy lifestyle changes

Implementing healthy lifestyle changes can help you manage your urinary incontinence symptoms. You can improve your bladder health by drinking more water, regularly exercising, eating a healthy diet, and just taking care of your body.

7. Managing your stress levels

Stress and anxiety can have a detrimental effect on your overall health and can contribute to worsening incontinence. Make sure you take the time to look after your mental health and find relaxation techniques that work for you. This could include warm baths, yoga sessions, or simply reading a book at the end of a busy day.

FAQs

Should I see a doctor if I'm experiencing bladder incontinence during my period?

Yes, you should always make an appointment with your GP if you experience any type of incontinence. After asking you about your symptoms and medical history, your GP should be able to diagnose you and provide treatment options. In some cases, you may need to undergo a physical exam to help determine the cause of your incontinence.

Do urinary incontinence symptoms go away on their own?

No, urinary incontinence symptoms don't typically go away on their own. In most cases, your symptoms are likely to get worse if you don't find ways to effectively manage your condition. You need to be proactive in your approach to managing your symptoms.

Can standard period pads help manage urine leaks?

Sanitary pads are not designed to handle urinary leakage. If you experience any type of urinary incontinence, it is far better to wear incontinence pads or leak-proof underwear as these products are especially designed to absorb pee. You may also wish to use a dedicated period product on your period such as tampons or menstrual cups.

Does cyclical incontinence stop when women reach menopause?

It depends. The thing about cyclical incontinence is that there are usually a few underlying issues that cause it. Menstruation is not the only factor involved. While some women may experience alleviated symptoms when they reach menopause, most women will still experience some type of urinary incontinence.

Final Thoughts

If you experience urine leakage during your period, you shouldn't feel any shame about your condition. Instead, you should focus on ways to best manage your symptoms so you can lead a happy and normal life.

Here at Jude, we provide practical resources to break taboos and educate women on a variety of bladder control issues. Our specialised incontinence products, such as our comfy bamboo pads and bladder support supplements, are designed to make you feel confident as you go about your day-to-day life.

Just remember that many women around the world experience urinary incontinence and there are plenty of effective solutions available!

Jude’s clinically proven supplements give you better bladder and pelvic floor control, helping you sleep through the night and regain the freedom to live life on your own terms. With just one capsule morning and night, you'll have relief from need-to-go urgency in just 12 weeks.