Diagnosis and treatment of women’s bladder conditions

The bladder is not something women typically think about, until urine control becomes a concern. Women’s bladder conditions are common. In fact, bladder issues occur more often in women than in men. Our North Austin bladder specialists provide information about female bladder health, lifestyle changes, and treatment that can help many women improve bladder symptoms.

A healthy bladder can hold 10 to 16 ounces of urine without leakage or the sudden, urgent need for the bathroom. Normally, no pain is present in the bladder or lower abdomen when urinating. If that’s not the case, it could indicate a bladder disorder.

Improving female bladder health

Thankfully, many patients can find relief from women’s bladder conditions through simple lifestyle changes. If you’re experiencing bladder symptoms, these steps may reduce or eliminate your issues.

• Don’t hold it. Holding urine too long can weaken bladder muscles and increase the risk of infection.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking water is the best option for your bladder. Alcohol, caffeine, and citrus juice can irritate the bladder.
• Avoid constipation. It can put extra pressure on your bladder, making it hard to empty or fill, and can cause unwanted contractions.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight on the bladder and urethra can lead to muscle weakness.
• Eat a healthy diet of fresh, unprocessed foods. This will help with weight management and constipation while avoiding fried foods that can irritate the bladder.
• Exercise. A good exercise routine helps manage weight, reduce constipation, increase blood flow, and maintain overall health.
• Stop smoking. Smoking can worsen bladder symptoms and is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer in women.
• Do pelvic floor exercises. Kegels and core exercises are useful in maintaining a strong pelvic floor.

Reasons for concern about women’s bladder conditions

Any of these symptoms could indicate women’s bladder conditions and should prompt a visit to our North Austin bladder specialists.

• Urgency (sudden, urgent need to urinate)
• Frequency (urinating more than eight times a day)
• Nocturia (waking to urinate more than once a night)
• Urine leakage
• Bladder pain
• Blood in the urine
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Pain during sex
• Pressure or pain in the lower abdomen

Common bladder disorders for women

Of the disorders our North Austin bladder specialists treat, some of the most common women’s bladder conditions are cystitis, overactive bladder, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder prolapse and bladder cancer.

Who experiences bladder problems?

Several factors can play a role in women’s bladder conditions.

• With age, the pelvic muscles weaken, leading to incontinence. Also, reduced estrogen associated with menopause can increase bladder issues.
• Excess weight can cause bladder symptoms, including urine leakage.
• Diuretics, birth control and other medications can cause bladder symptoms.
• Muscles that control the bladder and urethra can stretch during pregnancy.
• Delivering a baby can stretch and weaken bladder muscles.
• Hysterectomy can cause damage to the pelvic floor, leading to bladder problems.
• Disorders including diabetes and Parkinson’s disease can affect the nerves controlling your bladder.

Female bladder health should be a priority with increasing age. If you are experiencing any bladder symptoms, North Austin Urology is available to diagnose and treat your bladder disorder.