Supporting Women Veterans: Managing Urinary Incontinence with Confidence

Urinary incontinence is a common issue that many women experience, including our women veterans. If you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, know that you’re not alone, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s important to talk openly about this topic to normalize it and empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to manage incontinence confidently.

Understanding Urinary Incontinence in Women Veterans  

Urinary incontinence is when you accidentally leak urine, and it can happen for various reasons. For women veterans, the experience of urinary incontinence is quite common, affecting up to 20% of this group. The causes can be diverse, ranging from certain medications and infections to pregnancy, weak pelvic muscles, stress, or even just drinking too much fluid. 

Living with urinary incontinence can be challenging, but remember, it’s a manageable condition. Many women feel anxious about leaks, which can lead to avoiding social situations or physical activities they once enjoyed. But the truth is that urinary incontinence is more common than you might think, and there are ways to manage it effectively. 

Different Types of Urinary Incontinence 

It’s helpful to understand that urinary incontinence isn’t the same for everyone. There are a few different types:

  • Stress Incontinence: This happens when activities like coughing, laughing, or exercising put pressure on your bladder, leading to leaks. It’s often linked to weaker pelvic muscles.
  • Urge Incontinence: Also called overactive bladder, this type causes a sudden, strong urge to urinate, sometimes leading to leaks before you can get to the bathroom.
  • Overflow Incontinence: This occurs when your bladder doesn’t empty fully, leading to frequent dribbling.
  • Functional Incontinence: This type is more about mobility or cognitive challenges that prevent you from reaching the bathroom in time. 

You might even experience more than one type of incontinence, which is why it’s so important to work with your healthcare provider to determine what’s going on and what can help.



Practical Tips for Managing Urinary Incontinence  

Managing urinary incontinence can be much easier with simple lifestyle adjustments, the right products, and medical treatments if needed. Some lifestyle adjustments include:

  • Mindful Drinking: Staying hydrated is important, but you might want to avoid large amounts of fluids before bedtime. Also, cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, which can irritate your bladder, can make a big difference.
  • Bathroom Routine: Setting a regular schedule for bathroom visits, like every 3-4 hours during the day, can help prevent accidents. Try to resist the urge to go “just in case,” as this can train your bladder to hold less over time.
  • Pelvic Floor Exercises: Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles with exercises (often called Kegel exercises) can improve bladder control. Your healthcare provider can guide you on how to do these correctly.

Finding the Right Incontinence Products 

Incontinence products are an essential part of managing urinary incontinence. They offer comfort, protection, and peace of mind so you can go about your day without worrying about leaks. 

Incontinence products come in different absorbency levels to suit your needs:

  • Light Absorbency: Great for managing small leaks, often associated with stress incontinence.
  • Moderate Absorbency: Perfect for those who experience moderate leaks or need more protection during activities.
  • High Absorbency: Ideal for women with more severe incontinence, providing maximum protection for day or night use.

Try Attends Incontinence Products Designed for Women  

Attends offers a range of incontinence products designed with women’s needs in mind, ensuring you stay comfortable and protected throughout the day and night:

  • Attends Discreet Women’s Underwear: 
    Attends Discreet Women’s Underwear is a great option for women with more active lifestyles. This pull-on undergarment fits like regular underwear, making it a discreet and comfortable choice. It’s designed with soft, cloth-like materials and all-around elastics for a secure fit. The absorption channels help keep your skin dry, while the barrier leg cuffs offer added protection. Ideal for moderate to heavy incontinence, this underwear allows you to move with confidence. Plus, the tear- away side panels make removal quick and easy. 
  • Attends Discreet Bladder Control Pads: 
    Coming soon with enhanced features, Attends Discreet Bladder Control Pads provide comfort, flexibility, and security while you’re on the move. These pads are designed for a secure fit and offer advanced protection. They feature a fast- absorbing channel to help keep you dry and comfortable. Additionally, these pads contain a skin-friendly cream that aids in skin hydration, helping maintain skin health. Soft, breathable materials and odor control ensure you stay fresh throughout the day.
  • Attends Premier Overnight Bladder Control Pads:
    For those seeking overnight protection, Attends Premier Overnight Bladder Control Pads are designed to keep you dry and comfortable throughout the night. These pads are constructed with a highly absorbent core, while the breathable design promotes skin health. The added elastics help prevent leaks, giving you confidence and peace of mind as you rest. Whether you’re dealing with heavy or severe incontinence, these pads offer reliable overnight support.
  • Attends Premier Underwear:
    Attends Premier Underwear is designed to help manage heavy to severe  incontinence with comfort and discretion. These underwear feature high-rise, full- fit protection and are made with soft, breathable materials that ensure a secure fit in the right areas. The containment core quickly locks away liquid, while the elastic waistband provides an improved fit and extra comfort. With added leak protection, this underwear helps you go about your day confidently.

VA Benefits for Incontinence Products  

As a woman veteran, you may be eligible for VA benefits that cover incontinence products. Start by talking to your VA primary care provider about your symptoms. They can help you find the right treatments and products to manage your incontinence.

Attends offers a range of incontinence products that are eligible for coverage through VA benefits. Our online catalog provides helpful information, including specifications, sizes, and absorbency levels for each product.

If you’re not enrolled in VA healthcare, it’s easy to check your eligibility and sign up online. Once enrolled, your provider can guide you through accessing the services and products you need.

You might also be eligible for disability compensation if your urinary incontinence is related your military service. Disability compensation can provide monthly payments to help manage incontinence.

Finding Support Every Step of the Way    

Urinary incontinence is something many women veterans face, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right information, products, and support, you can manage it confidently. Attends is here to help with a range of products designed to meet your.needs, providing you with comfort, protection, and peace of mind. 

Don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and explore the benefits and resources available to you. Remember, you’re not alone—support is just a conversation away.

 

 

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