5 Common Bladder Problems in Older Women: Causes and Treatment Options

Do you battle with urinary retention? Or have you found that your bladder muscles have weakened as you've gotten older?

Even though bladder problems are exceptionally common in women over 50, this topic is still highly stigmatised and many people feel embarrassed to talk about the signs and symptoms... even with their GP!

Here at Jude, we aim to break the taboos surrounding urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, and other bladder-related issues. We believe that all women deserve to feel comfortable and confident no matter what they're going through.

In this article, we'll look at some of the most prevalent older female bladder problems and discuss some of the causes and treatment options available.

1. Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterised by frequent urination throughout the day. If you pee more than eight times a day and constantly feel the urge to go to the bathroom, you may have an overactive bladder. Other symptoms include having to wake up in the middle of the night to pee (nocturia) and urinary incontinence.

Causes

Overactive bladder is primarily caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder muscles, often due to nerve dysfunction or disruption of the brain-bladder connection. Factors which can contribute to this include hormonal changes during menopause. It can also be caused by specific neurological conditions.

Bladder stimulants like alcohol and caffeine can also irritate the bladder and trigger OAB symptoms. Other triggers common for those with overactive bladder include spicy food, energy drinks, and sugar.

Treatment options

The first thing your GP may ask is for you to start keeping a bladder diary, where you'll record how often you pee, what you eat and drink, and whether or not you experience urine leakage. From here, you may need to make a few lifestyle changes to regain a healthy bladder.

You may be recommended the following:

• Avoidance of bladder irritants

• Bladder retraining under medical supervision

• Managing your weight

• Home remedies

• Treating constipation (if this is something you experience)

• Improving your diet

• Using vaginal estrogen cream if you have low levels of estrogen

2. Urinary Incontinence

Have you ever experienced involuntary leakage? Urine leakage can certainly be embarrassing, but it is far more common than you may think. In fact, more than half of women experience urinary incontinence at some point in their life.

There are a few different types of urinary incontinence, including:

• Urgency incontinence: Also referred to as urge incontinence, this type of leakage is preceded by a strong urge to pee and is often linked to overactive bladder

• Stress incontinence: Stress incontinence occurs because of the abdominal pressure caused by physical actions like sneezing, coughing, and laughing.

• Mixed incontinence: Leakage of urine is caused by a mixture of urge and stress incontinence.

• Functional incontinence: Involuntary leakage caused by physical and environmental barriers.

• Overflow incontinence: This is caused by the overdistension of the bladder, often due to nerve conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Causes

From underlying medical conditions to your everyday habits, the causes behind urinary incontinence can be quite complex and differ from person to person.

Weakened bladder muscles, which result in a lack of bladder control, are common in older adults and can be worsened by pregnancy and childbirth.

Other potential causes include:

• Nerve damage

• Obesity

• Menopause

• Constipation

• Certain medications

Treatment options

Fortunately, there are plenty of treatment and management options for urinary incontinence, including:

• Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the bladder wall - these are best done under the supervision of a pelvic floor physiotherapist

• Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise

• Avoiding bladder stimulants like tea and coffee

• Relaxation techniques like yoga and taking warm baths

Some women may choose to take bladder care supplements after discussing with their GP whether it would be a good option for them. For daily management, you may want to invest in leak-proof underwear and comfortable pads so you can enjoy feeling dry and confident throughout the day. If you regularly experience night-time incontinence, you may want to reduce your fluid intake just before bed.

3. Urinary Tract Infections

Not only are urinary tract infections painful and uncomfortable, but they can sometimes affect your kidneys if left untreated. The symptoms of urinary tract infections typically include:

• Increased urinary urgency

• Less bladder control than usual

• Painful urination

• Pressure in the lower abdomen

Some people may also experience a slight fever.

Causes

Bacterial infection is typically the cause of UTIs. Microorganisms enter through the urethra, causing a urethral infection which can travel towards your bladder and eventually result in a kidney infection if you aren't careful.

Because of the proximity of the urethral opening and the anus, women are at a much higher risk of developing UTIs than men. Sexual intercourse is another common cause of UTIs in women. Older women are more prone to UTIs due to hormonal changes that occur during menopause that lead to vaginal atrophy and dryness which decrease the protective bacteria in the vaginal area and make the urinary tract more susceptible to infections.

If you want to prevent UTIs, you should:

• Drink plenty of water

• Wipe from front to back

• Try to pee after having sex

Treatment options

The best treatment option for urinary tract infections is usually antibiotics, so be sure to make an appointment with your GP if you notice any of the symptoms. You don't want to wait too long as the bladder infection can spread. They may also offer your topical oestrogen if vaginal atrophy is thought to be a contributory factor to you experiencing recurrent UTIs.

4. Bladder Cancer

Common symptoms associated with bladder cancer include:

• Blood in the urine

• Feelings of exhaustion

• Unexpected weight loss

Other less specific symptoms can include difficulty urinating, abdominal pain and lower back pain. Bladder cancer is a serious condition and you should seek the guidance of your GP if you're experiencing any of these symptoms.

Causes

Bladder cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of bladder cells, which result in the cells multiplying uncontrollably. As the cells continue to multiply, they can form a tumour, that damages nearby issues and has the potential to spread to other organs in the body.

Some of the risk factors for bladder cancer include:

• Smoking

• Exposure to chemicals including certain aniline dyes

• Long-term bladder inflammation particularly from certain parasites

Treatment options

Most bladder cancers are diagnosed in the early stages since they cause symptoms such as blood in the urine. In the early stages, they are often still treatable. The type of treatment offered to you will depend on how advanced the cancer is, but some common treatment options include:

• Surgery

• Chemotherapy

• Immunotherapy

• Targeted therapy

5. Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as bladder pain syndrome, can be exceptionally uncomfortable. The symptoms associated with this condition include urinary urgency and chronic pain in your bladder area. While this condition affects millions of people around the world (usually older women), there is still a lot of research to be done.

Causes

Medical experts aren't 100% sure of the cause of interstitial cystitis but they believe that autoimmune diseases, infections, damage to the bladder lining, and allergies may play a role. Many people suffering from IC report that certain foods (such as spicy and fatty foods) can trigger their symptoms.

Treatment options

While this condition cannot be cured, some of the ways in which symptoms can be alleviated include:

• Eating a healthy diet

• Regular exercise

• Reducing stress

• Bladder training exercises

• Physiotherapy

• Nerve stimulation techniques

It is best to consult a healthcare professional for a personalised treatment plan.

FAQs

Why are bladder problems so common in older women?

Women have an increased risk of bladder issues because of their unique experiences, including:

• Pregnancy

• Childbirth

• Hormone changes

• Menopause

Additionally, women have shorter urethras than men, and this difference in anatomy can lead to a variety of bladder issues.

When should I see a doctor about my bladder problems?

The sooner you see your GP regarding your bladder problems, the better. Your GP can provide a diagnosis and treatment plan after asking about your symptoms and medical history. Depending on your symptoms, they may also perform a physical exam.

How can I improve my overall bladder health?

If you want to improve your overall bladder health, you should try:

• Drinking more water

• Peeing whenever you need to (don't hold it in)

• Emptying your bladder fully when on the toilet

• Doing pelvic floor exercises

You can also keep an eye out for any urinary issues to begin treatment as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are battling with bladder control or experiencing the painful symptoms of a urinary tract infection, rest assured that you are not alone. Around half of all adult women suffer from some bladder problem at some point in their life.

Here at Jude, we are dedicated to breaking stigmas surrounding urinary incontinence and other issues that affect the urinary system. We do this by sharing practical resources and developing useful products, such as our leak-proof underwear and bamboo pads. We also have bladder care supplements which are specifically for those diagnosed with overactive bladder or urge incontinence. It is important to seek advice from your doctor before taking any supplement to ensure it suits your unique health needs.

We believe that bladder problems in older women need to be destigmatised. With more people speaking about these issues, the more likely women are to recognise the early warning signs and seek treatment as soon as possible.

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.