About this topic
You may need bladder retraining if you do not have good bladder control. Some people leak urine. Others have very strong urges to go to the bathroom or have to go very often. If you have these problems, your bladder may sense that it is full even when it isnt. Bladder retraining is a way to have the brain get control back over the bladder. ‚
Your doctor or therapist may have you track your habits for a few days before you start retraining. You may want to use a bladder diary to track how much fluid you take in and how much urine you put out each day. You can also include if you leak urine, feel an urgency to go to the bathroom, or need to use protection from leaks. ‚
General
You will need to follow a strict schedule for a few weeks for this to work. It will take a while to help your brain get control of your bladder. You may want to use a timer or alarm on your phone while you are awake. ‚
- Start by setting it for 1 hour. You can use a longer time if you are able to easily hold your urine for 1 hour.
- Go to the bathroom each hour or when your alarm or timer goes off. Try to go even if you dont feel like you need to go.
- Don't go to the bathroom before the timer goes off. If you have a strong urge to go before the time is up, try these things:
- Sit or stand very still until the urge goes away.
- Strongly contract your pelvic floor muscles 4 to 5 times in a row. These are Kegel exercises.
- Distract yourself and think about something else. Sing a song. Make a list. Count by threes to 99.
- Relax. Try deep breathing.
- Cross your legs or change positions.
- Walk very slowly to the bathroom when it is time to go.
- If you are unable to make it to the scheduled time, mark that down and reset your timer from when you went to the bathroom.
- Continue this schedule until you have 2 to 3 consecutive days without leakage.
- Next, try adding 15 minutes to the time between going to the bathroom. This means you are now going every 1 hour and 15 minutes. Once you are able to have 2 or 3 days without leaks or very strong urges, add 15 minutes more to your time. Keep adding 15 minutes to your time after every 2 to 3 days of no leaks or strong urges.
- Once you are able to wait 3 to 4 hours in between going to the bathroom, you can stop using the schedule.
Helpful tips
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids per day. Not drinking enough fluids will not help leaking. It can make your urine more concentrated and irritate your bladder. This can make leaking worse.
- Do not go to the bathroom before you leave the house just in case you have to go later. This can train your bladder to think it is full when it really isnt.
Where can I learn more?
Womens Bladder Health ‚
http://www.womensbladderhealth.com/pdf/bladdertraining.pdf ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-01-08 ‚
List_set bdysylist
- Adult
- Genitourinary
- Therapy (Occupational, Physical, Speech, etc)
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚