Bladder Dysfunction :: Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust

Bladder dysfunction is a term used for a range of problems with the way the bladder holds and releases urine. We should be able to hold good volumes of urine in our bladder, get calm messages to empty, make it to the toilet on time, and fully or nearly-fully empty our bladder with ease.

Unfortunately when one or more parts of this don’t work as they should, this can become a very embarrassing problem.

Definition of terms

Stress Incontinence: leaking caused by an increase of pressure on the bladder such as when you cough, sneeze, laugh, move or lift.

Urgency: a strong desire to get to the toilet, not necessarily with a full bladder. Often with turning on the tap, on putting the key in the door or on seeing the toilet.

Urge Incontinence: leaking following a strong desire to reach the toilet and ‘not making it on time’.

Mixed Incontinence: both symptoms of stress and urge incontinence.

Frequency: going to the toilet too often i.e. more than the maximum of eight times in a 24 hour period.

Functional Incontinence: due to restricted mobility you may finds it difficult to make it to the toilet on time or can’t get undressed quickly enough to use the toilet without leaking.

Self Help Tips

Ensure you drink a good amount of fluid: approximately 1.5 - 2 litres of fluid per day
Stop drinking or take only small sips 2-3 hours before going to bed but make sure you still drink 6-8 glasses of fluid each day (try sucking ice cubes or ice lollies)
Reduce or remove caffeine and fizzy drinks from you diet, especially in the evening
Avoid constipation
Avoid going to the toilet “just in case”
When you need to go to the toilet, try not to panic and rush to get there
Make sure you empty your bladder properly, sit down rather than crouching over the toilet
Rock back and forward after going to the toilet to fully empty (i.e. double void)
Sitting in a good posture allows you to stand up with less effort, which can reduce leaking
Train your pelvic floor muscles and get them working before you cough or sneeze or as you walk to the toilet
Stop smoking: smokers are 1.5 times more likely to have an overactive bladder due to the effect of nicotine
Elasticated waist bands are easier to manage in a hurry.

For men:

Double voiding: sit down (if you normally stand to pass urine) or stand up (if you normally sit to pass urine), count slowly to 20 and sit back down or stand back up and attempt to urinate again.
"Milking" - pushing the last few drops of urine from the penis with your fingers by pushing up just behind the testicles, before the final shake.
Ask your GP for advice as this might be related to your prostate