The Benefits of Using Reusable Pads for Bladder Leaks

Fully half of all adult women suffer from urinary incontinence, or bladder leaks. Bladder leaks can be a frustrating and disheartening experience for many women. Fortunately, there are effective and comfortable ways to manage urinary incontinence. Complete with a host of fabulous benefits, one such solution is reusable incontinence pads.

Understanding Bladder Leaks

Bladder leaks, or urinary incontinence, can occur at various stages. While it's a very common problem and most certainly not a lot of fun, it doesn't have to control or interfere with your life.

Some of the factors that may contribute to bladder leaks include:

• Hormonal Changes: Fluctuating hormone levels, particularly during menopause, can weaken pelvic floor muscles and affect bladder control.
• Neurological Factors: Conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, injury or nerve damage can disrupt the communication between the brain and bladder, leading to incontinence.
• Aging: As we age, the bladder muscles naturally weaken, reducing their capacity to hold urine. (Just another way our bodies are betraying us!!)
• Pregnancy and Childbirth: The physical stress of childbirth can damage or weaken pelvic floor muscles, contributing to bladder weakness.
• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, or overactive bladder, can also trigger bladder leaks.

Expert Advice on Managing Bladder Leaks

Even though we are here to help with backup protection while living with urinary incontinence, many women are able to reduce the amount and frequency or even eliminate bladder leaks with some good advice, a few changes and determination.

In anarticle on urinary incontinence, the Mayo Clinic shares some valuable insights on managing bladder leaks. Here are a few:

• Pelvic Floor Exercises: Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can significantly improve bladder control. (Even though it seems simple to just squeeze and hold your pelvic floor, at Amie we are huge fans ofpelvic floor physiotherapy to help you really target and improve muscle tone. We highly recommend visiting a pelvic floor physiotherapist!)
• Bladder Retraining: This technique involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom trips to train your bladder. When you feel like you need to pee, experiment with holding off an extra 10 minutes, gradually increasing the length until you are able to go 2.5-3 hours between voids.
• Dietary Adjustments: Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake can help reduce bladder irritation. (Isn’t that ALWAYS the answer?! Sigh.)
• Alternative Therapies: There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of evidence-based alternative treatments. The Mayo Clinic does say that yoga does show some promise, but needs further study. (Yoga is awesome for so many reasons at mid-life, why not give it a try? We loveYoga with Adriene, who has hundreds of free videos on YouTube.)

Disposable vs. Reusable Pads: Which is Right for You?

When it comes to bladder leak protection, you have two main options: disposable pads and reusable pads. Let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of each.

• Disposable Pads:
• Pros: Convenient, widely available, and available in various absorbencies.
• Cons: Expensive in the long run, contribute to environmental waste, and contain chemicals that can cause painful skin irritation or allergic reactions.
• Reusable Pads:
• Pros: Cost-effective, planet- friendly, breathable, comfortable, and available in several lengths and absorbencies.
• Cons: Require an initial investment and a regular washing routine.

So, What are the Benefits of Choosing Reusable Pads?

Thanks for asking! Reusable pads will benefit you in a host of different ways

1. Financial Savings: Switching to reusable pads can save you a significant amount of money over the long lifetime of each pad. Once the initial expense is made, eliminating the need for frequent disposable pad purchases will significantly lower your monthly expenses.
   
   
2. Environmental Impact: Disposable pads rack up a shocking amount of landfill waste and have a negative impact on the environment. Did you know a disposable pad takes 300-500 years to decompose?! With disposable pads only becoming popularized less than 100 years ago, that means every single disposable pad ever used is still on earth and not broken down. By choosing reusable pads, you're making a conscious decision to reduce your carbon footprint.
   
3. Health Benefits: Reusable pads are made from breathable, high quality natural and man-made fabrics that do not contribute to skin irritation and discomfort. They're also free from the harmful chemicals found in disposable pads.
   
   
4. Comfort and Confidence: Being made from fabric,reusable pads are clothing and feel like clothing. Unlike plastic disposable pads that feel like…well, plastic, reusable pads are designed to be comfortable and also discreet. They offer a secure fit and reliable leak protection, allowing you to feel confident and worry-free.
   
   
5. Customization: Reusable pads come in various sizes and absorbencies, so you can choose the right product for your specific needs. This level of customization ensures optimal comfort and protection, whether you suffer from occasional dribbles or partial bladder emptying.
   

Real-Life Testimonial

One of our favourite things is when a customer, who has been living with incontinence, takes the time to share a little of her story with us and how switching to reusables has changed the game for her.

Here is what one of our beloved customers, Paulette C had to say:

“I have been incontinent of urine after a spinal injury damaged the nerves that go to my bladder causing me to be incontinent of urine all the time, day and night. My injury was 40 years ago and I have been looking for the best incontinent product for all these years. Always needing to add to the amount of garbage I put out, I was so conscious of the effect on our environment.

Your heavy absorbency reusable pads take care of all my needs. Comfortable, easy to use, so easy to wash and dry on the clothesline and environmentally they are the best! I recommend them to anyone who lives with incontinence. And, to top it off, they come in a variety of pattern choices that are beautiful and they are made in Canada which is always appreciated.

Thank you so much!”

Getting Started with Reusable Pads: A Simple Guide

• Choosing the Right Pad: Consider factors like absorbency, size, and material when selecting a reusable pad. Amie Pads offers a range of options to suit different needs. To learn more about which pad might be right for you, pop over to our page onWashable Pads for Incontinence. And, if you ever need some more hands-on guidance, we invite you to contact us using the contact us link at the top or bottom of the page.
• Purchasing Your Pads: We always suggest starting with 1-2 pads unless you are very sure you know what you need. Starting small means making sure the pad suits your needs well before making a larger investment.
• Caring for Your Reusable Pads: Once you receive your pads, toss them in with your regular wash and dry once before using. Going forward, washing and drying your reusable pads is a simple process. We provide you with straightforward care instructions to maintain their effectiveness and longevity. (Hint…you can just toss them in with your regular laundry!)

• Using Your Reusable Pads: Give your new pads a try at home first to get yourself used to them. You may find they are so comfy that you want to dive into using them 100% of the time and that is fantastic. It is also okay to use reusables part-time for awhile, if that suits your needs best.

Empowering Yourself

At Amie Reusable Pads, we believe bladder leaks shouldn't limit your lifestyleor devastate your budget. By choosing reusable pads, you're taking a step towards a more comfortable, sustainable, and confident future.

If you’d like to learn more, we suggest checking out our informative page:Washable Pads for Incontinence.