Well, ya know, it ain’t uncommon for women to have trouble with their bladders durin’ their time of the month. It’s somethin’ that happens to a lot of us, though not everyone talks ’bout it. You see, it all has to do with them hormones runnin’ wild in your body. When a woman gets her period, the levels of a hormone called progesterone go up. This can make the bladder act funny, sort of like it’s havin’ a little too much of a spasm, makin’ ya feel like ya gotta pee more than usual. And that ain’t all. With lower estrogen during this time, the muscles that help hold your pee in, like the pelvic floor muscles, get a little weaker. So, ya might end up with some leaks now and then.
Many women, ’bout 25-45% to be exact, experience some kind of bladder trouble, especially around their period. Some only notice it a little, like maybe a small leak when they laugh or sneeze, while others might have a harder time controlin’ it. And it ain’t just your bladder that gets messed up – it’s the whole lower body. Your muscles down there, they’re affected by these hormonal changes, and they don’t work as well, especially when your period’s comin’ or goin’.
See, when a woman gets her period, her estrogen levels drop, and that can change the way them muscles around the bladder and urethra behave. This causes the muscles to become less flexible, which means they don’t hold things in like they used to. Now, when estrogen drops, the muscles lose some of their strength and the pressure in the belly changes. This can make things like bladder leaks a bit worse. And let’s not forget, as your progesterone levels drop right before the period, the body starts ridin’ itself of excess fluids it’s been holdin’. You might feel bloated, and that’s why you’re runnin’ to the bathroom more often than you’d like.
Now, if you’re one of them women who notices you have more bladder issues durin’ your period, well, don’t you worry. It’s pretty common. But if it’s bad enough, ya might want to talk to a doctor. There are ways to help strengthen them muscles and make things a little easier for ya, like certain exercises or medications. But overall, don’t be too hard on yourself, ’cause it’s just them hormones messin’ with ya!
Another thing I should mention, some women even get bladder infections or cystitis durin’ their periods. It’s not exactly the same thing as incontinence, but it’s somethin’ that might cause similar symptoms, like the need to pee a lot, or pain when peein’. So, if you’re feelin’ that, be sure to check in with a doctor, just to rule out any infections or other problems. Ain’t no shame in talkin’ ’bout it, we all go through it, and you’re not alone.
So, to wrap it up, ya ain’t crazy if you find yourself runnin’ to the bathroom more when your period’s on. Hormones are a tricky thing, and they mess with our bodies in all kinds of ways. Just take care of yourself, drink plenty of water, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if it gets too much. There’s always someone who’s been through the same thing, and there’s help out there for you.
Tags:[bladder incontinence, period symptoms, hormonal changes, urinary incontinence, menstrual cycle, pelvic floor muscles, progesterone, estrogen, cystitis, bladder control issues]
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