Are fibroids giving you bladder trouble? Here's how to cope!

When you have small fibroids (non-cancerous tumors in your uterus), you may not have any symptoms. You may not even know they are there. But when your tumors are large, they can cause problems like pelvic pain, heavy periods, constipation and bladder problems.

Today, we're going to talk about fibroids and your bladder: why they are connected and how you can deal with symptoms. First, let's explore why fibroids can impact your need to pee.

Fibroids and the Bladder: What's the Connection

According to research published in the Journal of American Obstetrics & Gynecology, large fibroids change the size of your uterus. And, when your uterus changes size, it can put pressure on your bladder, giving you a frequent, urgent need to pee.

That same study found that, when women treated their fibroids, their need to urinate became less frequent. What didn't disappear, however, was the "urge incontinence," many women experienced. Urge incontinence is a sudden, urgent need to pee. It means your bladder goes from 'just fine' to 'about to have an accident' with almost no warning. And, since uterine fibroid treatment doesn't always clear up this symptom on its own, here are some helpful tips for retraining your bladder, courtesy of the American College of Physicians.

Retraining Your Bladder After Fibroids

The main purpose of retraining your bladder is to go to the bathroom less frequently every day. So, to start off, the ACOP recommends keeping a 'pee journal,' recording the number of times, and the time at which, you urinate each day. The goal is to stretch out the amount of time between each trip to the bathroom. In order to help you extend time between toilet trips, they suggest the following:

• Don't rush to the bathroom when you feel the urge to urinate. Sit still and try to hold out as long as possible.
• Avoid going to the bathroom "just in case."
• Distract yourself from thoughts about urination when you feel the urge.
• Try delaying bathroom trips by clenching your fists or crossing your legs.
• Practice 'kegels' (pelvic floor exercises) so it's easier to hold your pee.
• Stay hydrated to avoid urinary tract infections.
• Avoid beverages with caffeine, since they increase your need to urinate.

Bladder control problems can be embarrassing and take a toll on your life. But, with proper fibroid treatment without surgery and some bladder retraining, you can get back to feeling like yourself!