I’m being humiliated by my cough and the menopause
DEAR DEIDRE: I’m a woman of 55 and since I’ve had a really bad cough since February, coupled with the menopause, I now keep wetting myself.
It’s so embarrassing. Yesterday I was in the queue to pay for a top and I had to put it back and run to some toilets in a cafe. I wear pads but they aren’t always adequate.
I have had four children and I always practised my pelvic floor exercises. I feel so mortified about this that I don’t want to talk to my doctor about it.
I started the menopause six years ago and I had a little leakage then but since I had this cough, the incontinence is tenfold worse. Can you help me?
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DEIDRE SAYS: Incontinence can be very distressing and debilitating - it’s also very common with an estimated six million people in the UK living with bladder and incontinence problems.
As women age the muscles in our bladders become weaker. As women reach perimenopause this weakening starts as oestrogen levels drop.
Replacing oestrogen by taking HRT and/or using vaginal hormonal preparations can help restore strength and tone to your muscles and tissues in your pelvic area.
It’s also a good idea to avoid drinking too much caffeine and fizzy drinks. And keep up those pelvic floor exercises - they can really make a difference.
My support pack on the menopause has plenty more guidance and you can also learn more tips from Balance (balance-menopause.com).
