I'm not going to lie - when I got an email from JustGoGirl about reviewing their incontinence pads for active women, I giggled like a school girl. I thought, "Really? They want me to talk about pee leakage while working out?" And then I giggled some more. Then I started to talk with some friends and came to realize that this is no giggling matter. So many women - more than 25 million of all ages - are affected by athletic incontinence.
We are fresh in the New Year and many of you have resolved to work out more. But maybe a little (or a lot) of leakage is keeping you from being as active as you want to be. Well, ladies, I have the solution for you. The kind folks at JustGoGirl sent me some product to take a look at and this is no ordinary pad. It is just as absorbent as traditional incontinence pads (up to 140mL of liquid, which is about 1/2 a cup) without all of the bulk. It is super thin (1.5 cm) and with its teardrop shape, you can wear those incredibly fitting running pants and no one will be the wiser. (All those ladies in the picture above are wearing them!)
Want to give JustGoGirl a try? Visit JustGoGirl.com and order a sample pack for FREE.
Looking for more information about urinary incontinence? Thank you to Michael D. Vardy, MD, FACOG, Director of Urogynecology at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center for the below information about how to seek help.
Urinary incontinence is VERY common. Much more than most women realize. The prevalence varies according to age with women aged 45-54 at the highest risk (as much as 60%). Although pregnancy is a factor, even women under the age of 25 who have never been pregnant have a reported rate of 30%. Cesarean section, contrary to popular belief, does not seem to be protective of urinary leakage, but rather, simply carrying a pregnancy to full term seems to be enough to cause the problem. Not even forceps delivery was the cause in several studies.
So what should you do if you are having a problem with urinary incontinence? First of all - don't panic...it is VERY treatable (and often curable). First, educate yourself. Web sites such as NY-Urogynecology.com are a good place to start. Your gynecologist is also a good place to start. Have your urine checked for signs of infection. UTI (urinary tract infection) is the most common cause of incontinence. If the urine is clean, a frank discussion of options often starts with your gyn. Pelvic Floor exercises (or Kegels) can be taught by your gyn and VERIFIED during exam to make sure you are doing it right ("practice doesn't make perfect - perfect practice makes perfect" is my favorite quote from my diving coach and absolutely applies to Kegels!). Many gynecologists are not comfortable evaluating or treating urinary incontinence. In the past, many would refer these patients to urologists, but many urologists don't have the background in "Female Urology." Urogynecology is the newest board certified sub specialty of gynecology. These doctors spend 3 additional years of training after 4 years of Ob/Gyn residency and, as of June 2013, there is board certification to help know who is best qualified. Ask your gynecologist if he/she can refer you to a urogynecologist, or, visit AUGS.org.
