Ahead of National Women’s Health Week (May 14-21), Poise commissioned a NEW survey of 1,000 women over age 40 and found many of them make lifestyle concessions to remedy a common issue nearly 1 in 3 experience – light bladder leaks (LBL)! So when does LBL strike? According to research, a whopping 72{5e0bea7df62a42e70f4e6662baa016b718b42e41c3f575af4c98dbb1e2d44a4e} of women have accidentally leaked when coughing, sneezing or laughing, with coughing being the most common. Workouts can be affected too! In fact, nearly 1 in 4 women surveyed would be hesitant to participate in a class like yoga, spin or Zumba due to possible bladder leaks. Beyond exercise, we all know that drinking water and staying hydrated is vital to healthy aging. However, nearly half of respondents believe that water increases the chances of bladder leaks, and 35{5e0bea7df62a42e70f4e6662baa016b718b42e41c3f575af4c98dbb1e2d44a4e} even admitted to having purposely limited water intake to avoid surprise leaks. These stats alone reveal why it’s important to raise awareness around LBL, normalize the conversation and find better solutions. Women’s health expert, Dr. Jessica Shepard, OBGYN, How common is an “uh-oh” moment in public for women over 40?Why do light bladder leaks happen?Why is working out important as women age?What are some of the dangers of dehydration?How can women who experience LBL maintain a healthy lifestyle without avoiding exercise and water?What type of options are available for women with light bladder leaks?Are there any products available that help prevent leaks?Where can we go to find more information? Dr. Shepherd is an OB/GYN and women’s health expert and the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women’s health forum that focuses on addressing taboo topics in a comfortable setting. As an OB/GYN, she practices at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX.
