Bladder Training
Bladder Training
The purpose of bladder training is to help you to regain control of your overactive bladder by suppressing its contractions. Instead of rushing to the toilet as soon as you get the urge (strong desire) to pass urine, it is important to try to hold on.
If you have difficulty doing this, try to distract yourself by doing something else such as sitting on your feet, crossing your legs or sitting on a rolled up towel.
You should aim gradually to increase the capacity of your bladder and the time interval between passing urine. Start by passing urine every hour on the hour whether you need to go or not from when you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night.
Try hard not to pass urine outside your set times. Practice this for 3-4 days. When you feel you have mastered this, gradually increase the time between passing urine.
For Example
1 & 1/4 hours for 1 week or until mastered
1 & 1/2 hours for 1 week or until mastered
1 & 3/4 hours for 1 week or until mastered
2 hours for 1 week or until mastered
2 & 1/4 hours for 1 week or until mastered
2 & 1/2 hours for 1 week or until mastered
2 & 3/4 hours for 1 week or until mastered
3 hours for 1 week then may be longer if you feel able
It is helpful to carry out pelvic floor exercises to help you suppress your urgency feeling, for example when getting up from a sitting position, when hearing running water or putting the key in the door.
It is important to note that bladder training takes time and needs your full commitment as it can take up to 3 months to show any benefits.
Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. You may find you have good days and bad days. As you continue bladder training, you will start to notice more and more good days, so keep practicing.
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