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HOW CAN I DEAL WITH BLADDER LEAKS?

If you thought urinary incontinence (UI) was just an issue for older women or new mums, think again. It affects a quarter of active women, according to research, 90% of whom have never told a soul. For most people, it’s ‘stress UI’ – triggered by sneezing, laughing or exercise (burpees, jumping jacks, etc). But it can also happen when the bladder needs to release quickly or more often, according to Dr Kathleen Kobashi, head of urology at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle – leaving little time to nip to the loo. How to fix the leak? Limit caffeine and alcohol, both of which can irritate the bladder, and do Kegel exercises to build up muscles to tighten the valve. Keep a log of your daily beverages and toilet trips so your GP can rule out excessive hydration. As a last resort, they might suggest medication or more invasive interventions – but little changes can make a big difference.