“If women are experiencing leakage with laughing, coughing, running, sneezing or lifting, and it seems like it’s pretty clear-cut, then trying an over-the-counter bladder support is completely appropriate,” Dr.
If you’re pretty sure you have urinary stress incontinence, however, it’s OK to try bladder supports. “It might even make their symptoms worse.” “If they don’t have the type of leakage that would be helped by bladder supports - if they have urge leakage or overflow - those patients won’t benefit,” says Dr. If you’re not sure what type of incontinence you have, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. “Some of my patients find that using the supports every day becomes very costly.” Talk to your doctor if you have questions “These supports must be changed regularly,” he says. Vasavada says there also is a cost factor. “There are some patients whose stress incontinence is so bad that the bladder supports are minimally successful,” she says.ĭr. Women need to have realistic expectations, Dr.
Have symptoms of a urinary tract infection or vaginal infection. Aren’t able to insert and remove things vaginally, or don’t feel comfortable doing so. In a few cases, they are not a good option, including for women who: However, although the supports offer advantages, they’re not perfect. A good option for many womenĮxperts agree that bladder supports are worth a try for nearly any woman struggling with stress urinary incontinence. Vasavada says making lifestyle changes (such as reducing your caffeine intake) and taking medication for overactive bladder are also helpful in some cases. The supports must be removed during the therapy, but the two can work together, she says.ĭr. “They can certainly be used with pelvic floor physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and supports around the urethra,” says Dr. Using supports with other types of treatmentĪlthough bladder supports work well on their own, they can also be a part of a more comprehensive treatment plan. “As with any other tampon or device you’d insert into the vagina, you’d want to make sure that it’s removed as directed,” says Dr. They can typically be worn safely for up to eight hours within a 24-hour period. Like any item worn in the vagina, bladder supports come with a small but important risk of toxic shock syndrome (a rare condition caused by certain strains of bacteria that produce toxins). Follow directions to manage safety concerns “So they’re not looking for surgery, they just want to manage it when they’re active,” she says. Ferrando says they’re also a good option for women who simply want to avoid the possible risks or complications of surgery. “A number of more active patients may use bladder supports because they just need something that will help when they’re being more physically active,” says urologist Sandip Vasavada, MD.ĭr. They’re relatively comfortable and non-invasive, and you can wear them only when you need them. A good alternative to surgeryīladder supports are often a good alternative to surgery. The supports provide added support to help prevent accidental leaks - but they won’t stop you from urinating and it should not move or fall out during bowel movements. So when a woman increases the amount of pressure exerted on her bladder during things like exercise, that pressure doesn’t cause the bladder to empty, because the support is there to keep the urethra closed.Īlso, while wearing these supports, you still can urinate or have a bowel movement. “Stress urinary incontinence is the result of poor tissue support around the urethra,” says Ob/Gyn Cecile Ferrando, MD.īladder supports function by providing support to the bladder neck of the urethra or the urethra itself. Once inserted into the vagina, the support expands to lift and support the urethra (the small tube that conveys urine out of the bladder), helping to stop leaks from stresses such as coughing, sneezing or exercising. But, rather than a wad of absorbent fibers, they are collapsible silicone structures with a non-absorbent polypropylene covering.īeneath the cover, they look a little like an oversized jack (the classic children’s toy - jacks and ball - not the tool for changing a tire). They come with a tampon-style applicator. The short answer is that they work sort of like tampons, but with some important differences. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. 
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