When you have your Pap smear does your doctor ask you about your bladder? Do you find yourself leaking just a tiny bit when you cough, sneeze or laugh? Do you have to rush in the door when you get out of the car ‘cos your bladder knows your’re home?
Well you’re not alone! In the old days we had to put up with the problems. They are caused by just the smallest amount of drop in the tightness of the sphincter muscle that holds your bladder closed. Women you have had multiple pregnancies or even just one long labour will often find that they have had a ‘crush’ effect against the bladder sphincter muscle while the baby’s head was leaning against it. The problems don’t really arise until menopause when the general muscle tone in the pelvic area becomes lax and the neck of the bladder has dropped ever so slightly and bingo, there’s a we patch if the bladder is full!
No self respecting woman wants to grow old smelling like stale nappies. Which is why I don’t understand the reluctance to fix or even to investigate the problem by some Gynaecologists. Sure, there are some bladder problems that are not suitable for a quick fix but there are many that are, so let’s at least do the bladder capacity measurements that can tell which is which. If your bladder is suitable for the ‘sling’ operation, it is an easy job, done in half a day under general anesthetic. In top Gynaecologists hands, it is very successful and well worth the trial of the tests beforehand.
Using a telescope, a small incision is made on each side of the pubic bone and a tape is inserted to go down behind the bladder neck and it is then tightened to lift up the drooping bladder neck and make it easy for the muscles to close. Voila!
The operation is NOT for everyone, alas. And there can be complications, but if it is suitable for you ten it is a life-changing thing to do. So ask, ask, ask. Get the relevant tests done and see if your bladder is suitable and go for it. At least if you get the urge to be intimate, there will be no ammonia odour to you (or him) off!!
Happy Hormones!