My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Menopause and Midlife Health
The end of your menstrual cycle is a natural time of transition, and may bring on side effects like hot flashes, insomnia, or mood changes. In addition to finding solutions to these side effects, midlife is an important time to focus on total health, an active lifestyle, and regular health screenings.
Menopause and Incontinence
As women age, it is common to see some degree of uncontrolled urine loss (incontinence). If you suffer from loss of bladder control, you are not alone. Millions of people are coping with this problem. Often this can be triggered by a cough or sneeze. In some cases you might find it difficult to make it to the bathroom in time. There are many reasons for this condition:
- Medications can often play a role in urinary incontinence.
- Drinking too much fluid or drinking the wrong kind of fluid can worsen this condition.
- Normal aging can weaken the muscles that control the bladder.
Suggestions
Don’t let incontinence embarrass you. We will work with you to treat any underlying conditions that may be causing the problem.The good news is that, many times, this kind of incontinence can be eliminated altogether or improved by simple measures such as:
- Keep doing the things you like to do. Absorbent pads or briefs are available in pharmacies and supermarkets.
- Practice Kegel exercises to build up the muscles that control your bladder.
- Keep a log of what you drink and in what quantity, as well as how often you normally go to the bathroom. This can help us find ways to modify your urinary pattern and find solutions for your incontinence. For example, making sure that you empty your bladder every hour or so can keep accidents from happening.
- Some studies have shown that estrogen creams or estrogen rings that you put in your vagina can relieve certain urinary complaints.
- Practice double voiding. Empty your bladder as much as possible, relax for a minute and then try to empty your bladder again.
- Urinate on schedule, perhaps every 3 to 4 hours during the day, whether the urge is there or not. This may help you regain control.
Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and can improve your sexual function and help prevent incontinence. We recommend that all women do Kegels. Here's how to do them:
- Locate the proper muscles by repeatedly stopping your urine in midstream and starting again. Focus on the muscles that you feel squeezing around your urethra and anus.
- Practice squeezing these muscles while you are not urinating. If your stomach or buttocks move, you’re not using the right muscles.
- Squeeze the muscles and hold for three seconds, then relax for three seconds.
- Repeat the exercise 10 to 15 times per session.
- Complete a minimum of 30 Kegel exercises per day. The wonderful thing about Kegels is that you can do them anywhere and anytime. No one will know what you’re doing except you.
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.