How to Expand Your Bladder Control

Bladder control is what stops the flow of urine from your bladder. The inability to control your bladder, or incontinence, is not only a medical problem, but a social one. There are numerous causes ranging from infection, to nerve damage, pregnancy, and stress. To gain more control over your bladder, there are several.

Things You'll Need

• Paper and pencil
• Doctor
• Bathroom
• Soap and warm water

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Instructions

Approaches

• 1

  Kegel exercises, which are often prescribed to pregnant women in preparation for birthing, will strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor. The exercise involves tightening the muscles you use to hold in urine. Squeeze tightly as if you are resisting the urge to urinate. Hold for 10 seconds, and release slowly, in stages. Repeat this exercise 10 to 20 times multiple times each day.

• 2

  Track your fluid intake and output. Finding a pattern may help detect problem and suggest a solution. Track the types and amounts of fluids you drink, the time of your urge to urinate, the time you actually urinate, and the amount of urine. The pattern may indicate that you need to urinate more frequently during a certain part of the day. This is known as timed voiding. Extend the time between trips little by little.

• 3

  If you are experiencing a real problem with leakage or are consistently getting up twice or more to urinate during the night, consult a physician. In more severe cases, they may prescribe electrical stimulation or surgery. In both cases, it would be a result of a nerve condition, as the electrical device would send pulses to the nerves that control the bladder.