Tips for taking a trip

Don’t let your nightly loo visits spoil your downtime. ‘If you’re worried about going on holiday, don’t panic,’ says Stephanie. Here, she suggests ways to prepare for a trip away.

✢ PREP AHEAD Before you go away, following the suggestions mentioned can stand you in good stead. ‘Take steps to get your bladder in check before you go,’ she says. ‘By attempting to retrain your bladder, being consistent with your Kegel exercises, limiting your fluid intake before bed and maintaining a healthy weight, you’re putting less pressure on your bladder for a more restful (and less stressful) trip.’

✢ TELL YOUR TRAVEL PARTNERS Don’t suffer in silence. Nocturia isn’t uncommon and you have nothing to be ashamed of. ‘If it’s something you’re concerned about when having to share space with someone else on a trip, open up to whoever you’re going with,’ suggests Stephanie.

✢ LOCATE THE LOOS If you can, bag the bed or bedroom closest to the bathroom so you – and anyone you’re sharing with – will suffer the least disruption. ‘By locating the toilets, you can prepare yourself for any unexpected trips during the night. This will stop you from having to hold in your pee, which could affect your bladder function and pelvic floor in the long run,’ she says.

✢ AVOID DIURETICS BEFORE BEDTIME

While this may be harder to do on your holidays than at home because, let’s face it, you’ll be treating yourself, it can help. ‘It’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re in a hot country, but try to avoid known diuretics, such as tea, coffee, soda and alcohol, late at night as they’ll increase your urine production,’ says Stephanie.