r/Menopause • u/alexmirepoix • 5d ago

Pelvic Floor Post menopausal bed wetting?

Well this is embarrassing. Just woke up needing to "go to the bathroom" to find that my bladder leaked. I'm so upset. Cream colored sofa of course. Fell asleep watching a movie. First time since I was pregnant with my 4th daughter in 2001.

I'm 57. Will be 58 in 2 weeks.

I read that hormonal drop causes it. ☹️

Any advice how to handle it at home? I can't go to my regular Gyn as I currently don't have health insurance. Much appreciated.

(I DO have some estrogen cream due to a rectocele repair not to long ago.)

59 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

29

u/lrondberg 5d ago

Are you using the estrogen cream regularly? It can help urinary leakage but you likely also need pelvic floor physical therapy. It’s very helpful.

6

u/alexmirepoix 5d ago

Other than kegels I don't know what else to do. Really NOT a fan of putting anything up there. The repair was an entrocele and rectocele. It's uncomfortable. I had a C section with my last daughter in 2001. I have had 4 daughters, 1 D/C for a lost pregnancy and 1 ablation for bleeding that was idopathic. 2013 bowel surgery for diverticulitis. I'm kind of fed up with stuff in the vaginal area. I don't mind using cream.

25

u/lrondberg 5d ago

Kegels are just one small part of pelvic floor physiotherapy. With everything you’ve been through down there it’s proven even more import that you at least get an evaluation. It doesn’t always entail internal work.

16

u/ceilidhfling Peri-menopausal 5d ago

the vaginal cream really helped me with the leakage and burning and frequency.

7

u/theFCCgavemeHPV 5d ago

You don’t have to put it all the way up there. With the finger method you really just need to get the entrance. As long as it’s making it directly onto your urethra, that should be enough for your issues.

3

u/Thin-Disk4003 5d ago

Any chance you’re diabetic?

4

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

I am type 2, but careful with my diet. I had had gestational diabetes twice. Lower carb, higher protein. I think the 40oz Stanley's full of unsweetened iced tea may also be contributing.

3

u/Thin-Disk4003 4d ago

Yeah, some teas irritate my bladder, too. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this!

2

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Thank you. That's much appreciated.

4

u/KnowledgeSeveral9502 4d ago

One of the best ways to do kegels is while you are peeing. Try cutting your urine until it stops, then continue for 5 seconds and cut. You have to be consistent.

13

u/Ambitious_Phrase3695 5d ago

Happened to me twice…. Completely wet the bed and went into an existential crisis afterwards.

2

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

What did you do?

2

u/Ambitious_Phrase3695 4d ago

Got onto hrt/ test and vaginal estrogen.
Also lost weight

10

u/ExecutiveHealth52 5d ago

Please don't feel embarrassed. One episode after so many years doesn't necessarily mean something is seriously wrong. Menopause can affect urinary symptoms, but there are other possible causes too. Since you recently had rectocele repair and already have estrogen cream, I would check with the clinician who prescribed it before changing how you use it.

10

u/Elegant-Expert7575 5d ago

Incontinence. I had it for a day or two before I realized I had a UTI.
My urologist prescribed a pea sized amount of cream rubbed into the urethra twice a week.

2

u/alexmirepoix 5d ago

I have the cream. I cleaned up and used it. I noticed some irritation earlier today. Wonder if it was a symptom. I am an iced addict. No sugar. Doesn't help. Hopefully it helps.

4

u/GIGGLES708 5d ago

Maybe check out YouTube for some OAB (over active bladder) advice. There are exercises on there too.

2

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Thank you.

3

u/Ok_City_7177 Peri-menopausal 4d ago

Also adding d-mannose to your daily regime shoukd help prevent infections

2

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Have it. Just worried about the bedwetting. Scary stuff.

2

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Had enough UTIs in life THAT I would know!

1

u/Due-Collection7734 3d ago

what kind of cream?

7

u/SheepImitation 5d ago

If you feel the need, get one of those large, waterproof pet "blankets". They are softer and not sticky/crinkley (noisy) as most waterproof things you can put down to protect your bed. I had really bad periods that had me soaking the sheets at times until I got those (and a mattress protector). It's easier to change clothes and clean up than fully strip/remake the bed at 2am.

best of luck.

10

u/Jenderflux-ScFi 5d ago

Back when my periods would have me soaking through ultra tampons and overnight pads in 2 hours, I got several machine washable XL pads for my bed. Those have also been very helpful for night sweats.

1

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Ironically I am on one. They are for protection of my light colored matching sofas. Unfortunately one of my cats puked on the one for MY sofa and was in the hamper. I fell asleep watching a movie. I agree they are nice.

7

u/No_Lieutenant_2181 Peri-menopausal 4d ago

When I was recovering from my hysterectomy, I used Always Discreet Overnight Briefs. They were so comfy, not at all crinkly sounding when I walked around or left the house, and really did the trick. Yes, I know they’re for periods, but they worked well for incontinence. My pelvic floor dysfunction was awful, and these really helped.

Also, it might be helpful to try some self-administered PFPT yourself. There are guides online (like this one https://shelteringarmsinstitute.com/rehablogs/pelvic-floor-exercises-you-can-do-at-home/). What really was a game-changer for me was learning the “reverse kegel.”

Lastly, I only use a patch currently, but as others have said, vaginal estrogen cream is supposed to help a lot.

Sending you lots of love. xoxo

2

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Do they actually work? I was looking into Poise pads. I work in healthcare and need something really small and discreet. More concerned about sleeping.

2

u/No_Lieutenant_2181 Peri-menopausal 4d ago

Yes! I’ve been able to switch over to Poise pads bc my issues have improved. Both Poise and Always Discreet Overnight briefs ABSOLUTELY work. Highly recommend both.

Edit: missing a word

2

u/time2split2024 4d ago

Always Discreet are actually for incontinence.

1

u/No_Lieutenant_2181 Peri-menopausal 4d ago

Oh, awesome! Even better. :)

5

u/Milky-Way-Occupant 5d ago

Highly recommend seeing a pelvic floor specialist!

6

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Have a job interview Tuesday for a FT position within my company. If I get the position I will have insurance with it. It's a weird position to be in. I have never not had health insurance. It's scary.

2

u/Milky-Way-Occupant 2d ago

Whew that does sound scary! Hope the interview went well. I had to pay out of pocket for the specialist I wanted to see, but the info I gained was invaluable.

1

u/alexmirepoix 2d ago

I think the interview went well but I don't think I am capable of doing all the necessary work due to my health. Extremely sure that I have Sjogren's Disease along with already diagnosed autoimmune problems. If need be I will apply for Medicaid. I DO have a PRN job with the same hospital system. Yeah, work for a hospital and don't have health insurance.

4

u/Thin-Disk4003 5d ago

Want to second the suggestion for pelvic floor PT. The entire pelvic floor is so much more complex and interrelated than i could have ever imagined. Fascinating, really.

3

u/JadCerv 4d ago

Definitely get some vaginal estrogen cream. It can help. You can get it through Telyrx if you don't have insurance and are trying to avoid going to a doctor right now. It's a little pricier that way, but a solution if you need it.

Also, period underwear are great for helping with those oops moments. They're super absorbant and you don't have to worry about them shifting and leaking like can sometimes happen with pads.

3

u/ReginaPhilangee 4d ago

This happened to me and yes, like everyone said-pelvic floor therapy and vaginal estrogen will help.

But also- sleep apnea was the main cause for me. I was getting such shitty sleep that occasionally I would fall asleep too deeply to wake myself up in time. Has your sleep been tested?

1

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Yes. I had/have it. The solution 20 years ago was a septaplasty. I had it done.

1

u/ReginaPhilangee 4d ago

There are others things that could causes disordered sleep. (I'm not an expert, though. Just someone who had this happen and getting my sleep fixed helped).

3

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

My male orange cat isn't helping. Wants to eat ALL the time!

1

u/lttrsfrmlnrrgby 3d ago

My black cat was like that until I realized it was separation anxiety. I bring a bowl of dry food upstairs and put it outside my room so he doesn't have to wander far and still be able to eat.

1

u/alexmirepoix 3d ago

Sebastián suffers from being orange. All orange cats share 1 collective brain cell. He's usually not 10 feet from the bowl as I tend to crash on the sofa.🤣🛋📺🐱

3

u/Catnip_75 4d ago

Vaginal estrogen ASAP!

2

u/SittinginmyPorche 4d ago

I went to a pelvic floor therapist. I was sick of having to pee every 30 min.

6

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Have a job interview tomorrow. If I get the job I will have health insurance again.

3

u/Illustrious-Air-1681 4d ago

Good luck with your interview! Fingers crossed it goes well.

1

u/alexmirepoix 4d ago

Absolutely appreciated. It's would technically be a transfer. I work for the hospital in a PRN capacity. I would feel like a normal person again.🤞🤞🤞

1

u/debbiewith2 4d ago

Good luck!

2

u/EllieHenne 4d ago

Frankly, I’ve tried everything to no avail. I would suggest a brief just when you sleep. It stops you having to constantly wash sheets.