For the past several summers, my sisters and I, and occasionally our adult daughters, head out for a “girls only” camping trip.
The first couple years we stayed in a tent trailer, but then we discovered the “rustic shelters” at a nearby provincial park and have stayed in one of them ever since.
When I say rustic, I mean rustic. The shelter is basically a 14′ x 14′ wood frame covered in a heavy-duty tarp. A couple of years ago they ran electricity to the shelters, but that is the only “luxury”. There is no indoor plumbing, no water and the showers and toilets are a seven or eight-minute walk up a path.
This camping trip is something we all look forward to each summer. There will be no schedule; we’ll eat leisurely meals when we’re hungry, go to sleep to the sound of crashing waves when we’re tired and get up when we feel rested.
For me, there is only one drawback…the bathroom situation or more precisely, the lack thereof!
Let me put this in an equation:
Increased age + 2 nine pound vaginal deliveries = Light Bladder Leakage (LBL) and/or Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) = POTENTIAL EMBARRASSMENT
I know my sisters understand and have experienced LBL or SUI themselves, but if you’re not properly prepared you can literally leak in your pants and no one wants to end up in that situation.
So, the choice became, stay home from this fun adventure and be right next to a bathroom or be proactive. I choose to be proactive. There is no way that I am going to allow occasional bladder leaks to interrupt my life.
The truth is, bladder leaks are more common than you think! One in four Canadian women* experience bladder leakage at some points in their lives and of these, almost half (49%) suffer from stress urinary incontinence (SUI)** which can be triggered by everyday occurrences like coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or even exercise.
And despite the high prevalence of SUI, many women are reluctant to discuss their condition with their partners, friends or even with healthcare professionals due to shame or embarrassment – that’s no way to live.
Not only are women not talking about bladder leakage, they’re using the wrong products to manage it. Like many of you, in the past, I had tried every type of “period pad”, from light to heavy, to manage my leaks — but they never really did the job. And that’s because they are made for periods and were never intended to contain urine in the first place.
It would be like trying to hammer in a nail with a screwdriver…it’s never going to work because it is not the right tool for the job!
After some trial and error, I found the right tools to manage my bladder leakage are the Poise® line of pads, liners and Impressa® Bladder Supports.
When I packed for my camping trip, I was sure to include the Poise® products I knew would be best suited for my travels.
I packed some microliners, which are discreet and not at all bulky, perfect for feeling confident and protected when wearing shorts or a bathing suit around the campsite. The ultra thin pads are what I wear at night, I just put one on and never have to worry about leaks. The Impressa bladder support is perfect for swimming and long hikes, I just insert it, forget about it and know I’m protected for up to 12-hours.
Poise® Pads and Liners:
- Poise® pads are specifically designed for LBL and stay up to 3X drier than leading period-only maxis.
- Poise® pads provide 3-in-1 protection for dryness, comfort, and odour control.
Poise® Impressa® Bladder Supports:
Until recently, most women have had little choice but to absorb their leaks with pads, absorbent briefs or resort to invasive surgery. With Poise® Impressa® Bladder Supports, women can comfortably and discreetly help stop leaks and regain their sense of freedom and confidence to live active, fulfilling lives.
- The innovation helps to support women in all the right places by placing pressure on the urethra to help stop unexpected leaks.
- It is easily inserted and removed, just like a normal tampon, and can be worn comfortably for up to 12 hours in any 24-hour period.
- Nine out of 10 women said their bladder leakage was reduced or stopped when using Poise® Impressa® Bladder Supports.
- Poise® Impressa® Bladder Supports have a comfortable Soft-Flex Core that helps stop leaks before they happen.
- 85% of women found Poise® Impressa® Bladder Supports comfortable in trial.
It actually felt very empowering when I realized I had the ability to stop letting leaks dictate my life, I call it my Poise moment…lol! Now, I just reach for the correct product from the Poise® line and continue to live my life to the fullest!
Can you imagine missing out on this spectacular sunset, just because of LBL or SUI? I am never going to let that happen!
This wonderful trip with my sisters was perfect! We ate leisurely meals, walked the beaches and fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves. Thanks to my confidence in the Poise line of products, I couldn’t have asked for a better vacation!
You can visit Poise.com to learn more and request a sample of the Thin-Shape Light Absorbency pads and/or Poise® Impressa® Bladder Supports, so you too can seize your Poise moment!
Do you have any type of urinary incontinence?
If so, are you ready to Seize Your Poise Moment and stop letting bladder leaks rule your life?
Seize Your Poise Moment and follow along with Poise® on their social media channels:
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ #PoiseMoment
* Information obtained from Canadian Women’s Health Network – Urinary Incontinence
** Information obtained from Canadian Continence Foundation
Disclosure: This post is sponsored in partnership with Poise® Canada. As always, all opinions are our own.
I am so thankful for poise! Over the last few years my LBL has become quite an embarrassing issue for me.
There are lots of us with bladder leakage, you’re definitely not alone! I too am also very thankful because Poise products have definitely been a quality of life changer for me.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Seize Your Poise Moment & Live Life to the Fullest
Glad you were able to have a great time. I totally didn’t think we’d need a different type of pad!
Yashy Murphy recently posted…5 Ways to Avoid BTS : Back To Sickness #ONVaccine
Thank you, we had a great time. You’re not alone in not realizing period pads don’t work for bladder leakage. Hopefully, this post will help women know that Poise products are available and do a great job in managing bladder leakage.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Seize Your Poise Moment & Live Life to the Fullest
I don’t have any urinary incontinence but it’s great to know that Poise is a great product for those who do. I hope your camping trip was great!
Thanks, Ladena, it was so much fun!
Monica recently posted…Seize Your Poise Moment & Live Life to the Fullest
I had two 9+ pound babies too! It’s not often I run into other people who’ve done that! ;)
Heather Lynne recently posted…MOSAÏCANADA 150 and Cirque Du Soleil Volta (Gatineau & Toronto)
Lol…I always told people it was my own fault for being so health conscious during my pregnancies!
Monica recently posted…APPETIZER ~ Loaded Baked Potato Skins
This is good knowledge to have. Thankfully at this point in my life I don’t need this product. I gave birth to one 7lb baby that’s it. ahha
We love our kids but they gave us this bladder problem. I am glad there is Poise!
Tara pittman recently posted…CUJO Gives You An Extra Layer of Protection On Your Home Network
Yes, the bathroom is always the biggest problem when camping! It can cause bladder problem. I must try this product
Yes, I had problems during my pregnancies. I’m glad that you choose to be proactive! Looks like Poise has great products.
The Flying Couponer recently posted…Pumpkin Foam Faces Fridge Magnets
Really helpful article. Sharing it with my mum. Time to speak openly about this problem.
Poise has some great products for LBL. The pads are so thin you forget you are even wearing them.
I have yet to try poise, my bladder is pretty strong, so far at age 51. I know my mom has worn Poise before and really enjoyed the experience.
I like using Poise for LBL. After four kids it can hit randomly- Poise is a great way to keep me active without worrying.
Coralie recently posted…Harry Potter Golden Snitch Cupcakes
I am so glad you were able to still make your trip with your sisters. Family time, especially sister time is so very important! I am happy that Poise was able to help you continue your time well spent with your family.
This looks like you ended up having lots of fun! Poise is the best and a great way to keep on going!
I have dealt with LBL ever since having my kids. It’s nothing to be ashamed of and man, does Poise make great products!
I personally do not have this problem but I have known others that do. They use this product and like what it does for them
This was my biggest problem when I was pregnant. I wished I had the chance to read this before.