Category: Bladder/Urologic

Why is Judy Golden?

Comedian Judy Gold recently posted an interesting question for fans on Instagram. “Can you explain something to me? Why is it,” she asked, “that …  the second I hit 60, the amount of time for my brain to register that I have to go pee—and the pee actually exiting my body—is now down to about a third of a second?” She then proceeded to apologize to her downstairs neighbor for running to the bathroom so loudly! Continue reading to discover more about urinary urgency after menopause.

What Is Urinary Urgency?

Perhaps you can relate (although I hope you can’t!). The official medical term for it is urinary urgency, and there are some myths around it.

First, it can happen even if you haven’t been on a long car ride drinking five Red Bulls in a row. And it can happen even if you don’t have a UTI or overactive bladder.

Why It Can Happen Around Menopause

And while I’m not treating Judy (although I’m happy if she needs me to!), you should know that women who are around Judy’s age (menopausal) can experience this kind of urgency due to a lower level of estrogen and thinner vaginal tissue, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Other Possible Causes of Urinary Urgency

What are some other reasons this might happen? Vaginal and bladder inflammation, diabetes, MS, a side effect of a new medication (such as a diuretic) and even winter. What you eat (fake sweetener, for example), drink (like seltzer) and hear (such as water dripping from a faucet) can play a part in how long you’ll feel comfortable holding your urine, so you may want to think about it like a detective when determining the cause.

When to Loop in Your Doctor

As there are so many reasons why this can happen—and because some are quite serious—it’s good to loop your doctor in. (Your doctor may be able to prescribe Botox too if overactive bladder is the cause. Botox, injected directly into your bladder’s detrusor muscle, can keep that muscle from spasming, so you don’t feel that sudden, panicked need to get to the bathroom. It’s not especially painful and FDA-approved, but it may need to be injected more than once, as it wears off in a few months.)

How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help

If it turns out not to be serious, and you can’t resolve it on your own, then it’s time to contact your local awesome pelvic floor PT! Urinary urgency is not something you have to put up with, regardless of what you’ve been told. I repeat, you do not have to live like this. You deserve better! It is something we know how to treat effectively with bladder training and kegels. Kegels can be hard to get the hang of, so ask your therapist to allow you to practice during a session. Bladder training is determining ahead of time when you will go to the bathroom. This is versus allowing your bladder to empty on its own, without your wish or permission. It is something that also requires patience, but can be so worth the effort.

Why This Matters

Getting urinary urgency under control can change your life! Imagine: no more avoiding long car rides. No more mapping out every bathroom in a mile radius. No more racing to your bathroom before you even say hi to your family. And no more being scared to laugh at a hysterical scene at the movies. I really appreciate Judy Gold for shining a light on urinary urgency with her trademark sense of humor. I hope that you, Judy (and Judy’s neighbor) get some relief soon because urinary urgency is, at the end of the day, no laughing matter.

Why We Rush to Pee & What Is Power Peeing?

You have a job, kids, friends, a life. There are appointments, deadlines, obligations. It’s not uncommon for you to be moving at the speed of light. You may strain or push a little harder when you urinate, just to finish quickly. No big deal, you think. Maybe someone is knocking on the door in a public restroom. You feel anxious and squeeze that last bit of urine out hard. Perhaps you don’t even have to urinate, but you know you will be out for hours with no public restroom nearby. Sometimes the only options are gross ones. You use the clean bathroom at home and barely anything comes out. Still, you don’t want to feel uncomfortable later.

While these may seem like harmless things to do, they can actually hurt you. Pushing your pee out forcefully is called “power peeing,” notes Everyday Health, and despite the name, there’s no power in it at all: It can strain the pelvic floor muscles, which may result in pelvic floor dysfunction. It can even cause pelvic organ prolapse, says VeryWell Health. It’s important to understand how power peeing can affect your pelvic floor health.

Why “Just in Case” Peeing Isn’t Harmless

Meanwhile, peeing when you don’t really have to is not a good idea either, as you may eventually have to pee more often, according to urologist Lamia Gabal. This could train your bladder to have the sensation of needing to pee when you ingest less liquid than usual. That isn’t something you want.

How to Stop Peeing When You Don’t Feel the Urge

How then do you stop peeing when you don’t feel the urge?

Start with some simple research. Toilet apps that tell you where the nearest bathrooms are are a must before planning any trip. Here are a few trusted by the National Association for Continence. A good rule of thumb is to know where your local Starbucks, cafes, restaurants, libraries, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Targets, parks, and community centers are. These generally have working public bathrooms, although you may need to purchase something. (Or want to purchase something to support the store.) While you should always be well-hydrated, you may need to steer clear of carbonated beverages and alcohol, bladder irritants, or liquids that will encourage excess urination. If you urinate before you leave the house (also known as JICing, or “just in case” voiding) because of fear of incontinence, you may feel more secure with an incontinence pad or panty liner.

How to Avoid Power Peeing

To avoid power peeing, it’s helpful to determine if you absolutely can’t go without pushing or if it’s just a matter of bad habits. If you can’t go without pushing, that can be a medical issue like a UTI or bad constipation, which needs to be treated appropriately. If it’s more of an issue where you are doing it to save time, then The National Association for Continence provides some guidance on how to urinate. You should be in the correct voiding position (knees elevated and supported above the hips on a stool or yoga blocks and leaning slightly forward). It may sound weird to have to learn how to go to the bathroom all over again as an adult, but it’s worth taking some time to educate yourself.

A Gentle Reminder

You may save a few seconds by power peeing. You might avoid a trip to a less-than-clean public bathroom by urinating at home. But you could also spend more time at your doctor’s or pelvic floor therapist’s as a consequence. Everyday habits play a vital role in keeping your body working properly. Take them seriously and treat your body gently. Take it easy on the toilet and in everything you do. Your body will thank you!