TEMPERATURES in the UK have dropped to record lows, and many are feeling the chill of winter.
An expert warned that the “super cold” could have serious consequences for your health.
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Britain is expected to see up to nine inches of snow this week. There will be no relief from the cold weather until December.
Experts warned in the past that winter vagina could be uncomfortable. They also suggested some tips for keeping it healthy this winter.
Clare Bourne, a physiotherapist for pelvic health, said that cold weather can cause problems with your pelvic floor and incontinence.
Elvie, a female technology company found that 45% of British women use a wee more in cold weather.
Elvie’s campaign ‘Leaking the Truth’ found that 90% of women admit to putting off going the toilet.
About 47% of respondents said that this was because it wasn’t their intention to get out the bed. 37% stated that it was because they weren’t ready to stand in a line at a store or wait in line for entry to a venue.
Claire explained: “When you’re cold, blood vessels constrict to get more blood and warmth to our vital organs.
This means your blood pressure temporarily increases and the kidneys filter any fluid out, which causes us to need to pass urine more often.
When the bladder sends a signal to the brain that there is urine present, we feel the need to go to the toilet. This occurs before our bladder becomes full. We have enough time to find a place to relieve ourselves.
“If we repeatedly ignore the urge to go and spend long periods of time holding in urine this can lead to pelvic floor tension, which can lead to other symptoms.”
She said that having a strong and flexible pelvic floor will allow you to hold when you need to and prevent any leakages while you’re waiting to get to a loo.
“Urinary leaks can have such a huge impact on a woman’s daily life, her self-confidence, and her mental health”She said so.
Claire explained that incontinence will be a common symptom of the cold snap across the UK.
According to the Elvie report, 54% of women leak after they cough or sneeze.
Clare’s top tips for stopping that ‘little bit of wee’ coming out
Claire suggests some strategies to control incontinence.
Your pelvic floor muscles should be strengthenedA strong, flexible pelvic floor can help you hold onto your position when you most need it.
Make sure you’re doing your Kegels correctlyIt is important to correctly contract the pelvic floor.
Take care of you bladderKeep your bladder warm by wearing a nice, cozy sweater and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
Talk to your doctor if you need supportGP support is available if you experience urine leaks, or notice that you are passing urine more often during the day. You don’t have to suffer in silence.
Claire explained that this could be a sign your pelvic floor isn’t able to handle the substantial increase in intra abdominal pressure during a cough, sneeze or other respiratory distress.
She also added: “Repeated coughing can cause the pelvic floor to tire, and over time weaken these muscles, which can lead to increased symptoms of incontinence or prolapse.”
Claire suggested that you do Kegel exercises to help incontinence. You can also use a pelvic trainer to help you.
The report shows that 33% of women associate incontinence and older women with the exercise.
A third of 18-35 year old women reported having a leak at the least once a week. Only one in ten had a daily leak.
Around 70% of women over 35 experienced leaks at least once per week. 10% reported that they had leaked daily.
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