What is bladder training?
If you seek professional help for your urinary incontinence—which we highly recommend that you do—your doctor may recommend something called “bladder training” as a course of treatment. Whether your bladder control issues are classified as stress incontinence, urge incontinence or overflow incontinence, bladder training can be a valuable tool to help you reclaim control of your life.rnrn rnrnBasically, bladder training is a kind of behavioral therapy that helps you regain control over the process of urination. Your doctor will likely have you start by keeping a bathroom diary; you’ll use this to record every time you have the urge to urinate throughout the day, as well as any leaks you might have. Once you have an idea of your daily urination schedule, you will gradually add time to the intervals between your bathroom breaks.rnrn rnrnOver time, delaying urination in this manner will help your bladder “re-learn” when to send its urgency signals. Your bladder training program may also be accompanied by small, simple lifestyle changes, such as limiting caffeinated beverages or drinking less fluid before bedtime. On average, bladder training can deliver noticeable results in 6–12 weeks. If you’re diligent, you should be able to go longer periods of time between bathroom visits, hold more liquid in your bladder and have more control over the urge to go.rnrn rnrnIf you’ve been at it for a month or so with no results, check in with your doctor—there may be another course of treatment for you. And of course, during your bladder training program, make sure to keep yourself dry and comfortable by wearing the appropriate incontinence products. Not sure which is right for you? Take our interactive quiz now to find your perfect fit.