Patient Success Stories - Urge Incontinence
Deirdre came to us for our Urge Incontinence treatment with our Principal Physiotherapist Aileen Maguire.
Urge incontinence is a sudden, strong need to pass urine that can lead to leakage before reaching the toilet. It’s caused by involentary bladder contractions and can affect people of any age. Physiotherapy can help using a variety of strategies to improve control and confidence.
See how Deirdre experienced the service in her own words:
“I have suffered for well over a decade with what I would describe as urge incontinence. Before leaving the house, I would go to the loo and then be constantly mindful of where I am going will I find a loo? Most days I would be taken short, despite my best effort to control the flow. The situation was getting worse and more embarrassing, so I consulted my GP who referred me to Aileen Maguire of Ballsbridge Physio.
Aileen was so understanding and reassured me we would get to the bottom of the problem but that it would take time. It’s not an easy fix as the problem can be caused by hormones, constipation, muscle tone and liquid intake. We had to work on all areas. Over the years I had always believed my pelvic muscles were weak as I couldn’t control the flow no matter how hard I squeezed. I was constantly looking at YouTube for exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.
What Aileen found was my muscles were strong but that they were so tight that they couldn’t tighten anymore when an urge to go to the loo came along. A huge part of the treatment was to breath deeply into the abdomen to relax the muscles, and then I was able to tighten and relax the muscles as needed.
Constipation also puts pressure on your bladder so we looked at increasing fibre in my diet. As I am post menopause, I also started taking vagifem.
The last area we look at was keeping a bladder diary, which looks at your intake of liquids and frequency/volume of output. To my surprise we found that I was taking in too much liquid including drinking a pint of water all in one go so I was putting huge pressure on my bladder. I have now reduced the volume and am sipping the water instead.
I first went to see Aileen in February 2023 and I have a final check up in January 2025. It seems a long time but the outcome has been so so worthwhile. I can’t believe the change in the quality of my life, to be free of the worry about being near a loo, Its fantastic and I am so grateful.
I am just back from a walking safari in South Africa, a trip I could not have considered before I went to Aileen. With animals in the vicinity its not possible to dash behind a bush as the guide has to check it out first. My confidence has grown hugely as I was able to say to myself despite needing to go to the loo I could hold it until we got back to camp, something I could never have dreamed possible.
I would highly recommend Aileen at Ballsbridge physio if you have any of these issues.”
- Deirdre (Link to Goolge Review)
📞 Reach out today or book your assessment online and take the first step in your recovery.
Here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic, our Clinic Director Aileen Maguire specialises in the treatment of urge incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, and bladder and bowel conditions. If you are experiencing symptoms of urge incontinence or would like to arrange an assessment, please get in contact with us.
Woman’s Health Clinic
Pelvic problems such as urinary incontinence and bowel problems affects 1 in 3 women at various stages during their life; from those who have never been pregnant, those going through their child-bearing years and into menopause.