Did you know? Half of all women deal with bladder leaks during exercise!

Yes, you read that right! Around 50% of women experience bladder leaks or stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during exercise. Imagine you're in the middle of a killer HIIT workout, running a 5k, or crushing those jumping jacks, and oops— you’ve peed yourself. No wonder those black tights are so common ;). 

It's more common than you think, and there's no need to feel embarrassed about bladder leaks when exercising. Let's dive into why this happens and how to enjoy your workouts leak-free with confidence.

Why do bladder leaks happen during exercise?

Bladder leaks often sneak up on us during exercise due to weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are the unsung heroes holding up your bladder and other pelvic organs. 

When running, jumping, or lifting heavy weights, you are putting pressure on your bladder. If those muscles supporting your bladder aren’t strong enough, a little pee will slip out.  

Here's some reasons why you might be experiencing bladder leaks during your workouts: 

• Pregnancy and Childbirth: Growing a tiny human and then bringing them into the world puts a lot of strain on those pelvic muscles. That being said, many women who have never carried or given birth experience bladder leaks during exercise.
• Hormones: Hormonal changes during your period or menopause can make the tissues surrounding your pelvic floor muscles less sturdy.
• Aging: With age comes wisdom—and sometimes weaker muscles. Our pelvic floor muscles are no different! 
• High-Impact Activities: Exercises that put pressure on the bladder, like running or jumping, can trigger bladder leaks.

• Extra Weight: Carrying extra weight means more pressure on your bladder and pelvic muscles.

The workout woes: bladder leaks in action

Picture this: You're mid-squat or pushing through a set of burpees, feeling unstoppable, and then... you’ve peed your pants. Or perhaps, you find yourself running to the washroom or avoiding the “hard” exercises during a workout class, only to have the instructor judge you for leaving. It's a real buzzkill, but you're not alone. Many women face this issue during workouts, which can make hitting the gym or a workout class less appealing.

Pads aren't always the best workout buddy

Absorbent pads are the go-to for many, but let's be real—they have their downsides, especially for active gals:

• Comfort Issues: Pads can feel like you've stuffed a small pillow in your pants—not great for mobility.
• Tight Pants: Most workout tights aren’t hiding much, let’s be honest it can be hard to disguise wearing a pad. 
• Chafing and Irritation: All that friction during a workout? Ouch.
• Distraction: Constantly worrying about leaks or adjusting pads can throw off your game.
• Not Sweat-Friendly: Extra moisture weakens the adhesive on pads.  
• Odor: Nothing worse than worrying if your workout partner or instructor can smell your leaks. 
• Eco-Unfriendly: Disposable pads aren't doing our planet any favors.

Meet Uresta: Your new workout partner for bladder leaks

You wear a sports bra when you workout. Why not wear one for your bladder? 

Say hello to Uresta, the reusable bladder support device that's here to save the day. Why is Uresta such a game-changer for active women? Let's break it down:

• Super Comfortable: Designed to fit like a dream, Uresta lets you move freely without the bulkiness of pads.
• Easy-Peasy: Inserting and removing Uresta is a breeze, making it a stress-free solution.
• Stealth Mode: Unlike pads, Uresta is invisible under your workout gear. No more worries about unsightly bulges!
• Eco-Friendly: Uresta is washable, reusable, and helps you cut down on waste, so you're also doing a solid for Mother Earth.
• Odor-Free: Unlike pads that can sometimes hold odors, Uresta keeps things fresh and worry-free.

Keep on moving with confidence

Bladder leaks shouldn't stop you from exercising or hitting a new personal record. Understanding stress urinary incontinence and finding solutions like Uresta can help you stay active and confident. So next time you're gearing up for a run, a HIIT class, or any high-impact activity, know that you've got this—bladder leaks and all!

- 50% of women experience leaks during exercise: https://eastcoastphysio.ie/are-you-one-of-the-50-of-women-with-stress-incontinence/ AND Campbell P, Moran K, Boyle S, Gallagher C. Compliance with Uresta (CURE) study; a 12 month follow-up of 40 women. Int Urogynecol J. 2023 Mar;34(3):737-744. doi: 10.1007/s00192-022-05234-1. Epub 2022 May 27. PMID: 35624166; PMCID: PMC9139490.

- https://nafc.org/bhealth-blog/dont-quit-exercising-because-of-urinary-incontinence/

- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22262-stress-incontinence