Ab work and incontinence?

PattyRain
PattyRain Posts: 104 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
OK, putting it out there because I'm hoping it helps other people as well. Otherwise I would just wait to ask my doctor about it in a few weeks.

I struggled with occasional incontinence for years. Asked my doctor about it, but her answer wasn't satisfactory and didn't offer real suggestions.

I've been working out since January and in March started working with a trainer every few weeks. He started me on sit-up on a bench that doesn't lay back all the way. When I progressed to the point where the bench was flat I started with the incontinence problems. After awhile that went away and now things are even better in general.

Now I have graduated to a decline bench. My trainer has me doing 40 sit-up with a resistance band to help me on some days and 20 without on other days. The 20 is very tough for me. I've noticed that while doing them the incontinence comes back.

So obviously there is something about the effort of the ab work that makes it happen. I don't know physiology. What is going on that makes it happen when I do the harder ab work? As I get stronger is there a good chance that will stop since it did with the straight bench?

Replies

  • philanthropichelmick
    philanthropichelmick Posts: 24
    http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/features/sex-exercise-stress-incontinence
  • Pamstimelines
    Pamstimelines Posts: 79 Member
    I AM NOT A DOCTOR or an expert on the matter but I have heard that it may be a muscle weakness issue (I'm sure are other reasons for incontinence) in the vag area. Have you heard of Kiegel (sp?) exercises? That is supposed to help. I'm interested in the answers you may get, I can't do too many jumping jacks! LOL
  • Pamstimelines
    Pamstimelines Posts: 79 Member
    http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/features/sex-exercise-stress-incontinence

    This is a very good explanation. Thanks for that.
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    Sounds like stress incontinence to me. Having children can predispose you to it... Not not all doctors are very helpful especially as it can be so very distressing. You could try another doctor in the group.

    I noticed your food diary is closed. I was looking for signs of high fruit and veg consumption and probably tea and coffee. Because the better you eat the more you expose yourself to Salicylate Sensitivity, its a real pain to me and can and has caused urinary tract problems. Doctors tend not consider salicylate sensitivity as a real problem rather they dismiss it unless you are asthmatic. Salicylate is toxic to many. I was getting close to totally inactive because of it three years ago and doctors did not help. It was causing my system to fail.

    Hope you find a sensible answer to your precise situation. My comment is probably not relevant to your situation.

    all the very best

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