During pregnancy, your internal organs move to accommodate your baby, and your body releases a muscle-relaxing hormone, progesterone, to get you ready for childbirth. The loosening of the pelvic floor muscles – and the pressure of a growing baby on your bladder – can result in little leaks and an urgent need to wee.
After childbirth, leaks may keep occurring, because giving birth weakens the pelvic floor muscles, and this can cause stress urinary incontinence. Many women who experience pregnancy-related incontinence find that kegel exercises really make a difference for them.
When you reach menopause, the pelvic floor can become weak again as the pelvic floor muscles degenerate when they are not stimulated by oestrogen. Generally, combinations of age, childbirth, bodyweight and hormonal factors can increase the risk of problems with urinary incontinence or urgency feelings.
Doing kegel exercises is a great start, but it’s important to talk about your progress with your GP, especially if you don’t see an improvement. And remember, TENA is always there to offer you discreet protection and freshness while you need a little extra support.
Download TENA’s free My Pelvic Floor Fitness app here