Urinary incontinence is far more common in perimenopause and beyond, than many women realise ~ but common does not mean something you simply have to accept.
For some women, leaking happens when coughing, laughing, jumping or exercising. This is known as stress incontinence and is often linked to reduced support and pressure management through the pelvic floor and deep core.
Others experience urgency incontinence ~ the sudden need to rush to the toilet, sometimes not making it in time. This can be influenced by hormonal changes, bladder sensitivity, nervous system stress, brain training, and pelvic floor tension.
And here is the important part: pelvic floor dysfunction is not always caused by weakness.
Many women actually have a pelvic floor that is overworking, tight or struggling to relax properly. This is why doing endless Kegels without understanding what your body truly needs can sometimes make symptoms worse rather than better.
A pelvic-floor-informed Pilates approach looks at the whole system. Breathing mechanics, posture, hip mobility, rib movement, glute strength and nervous system regulation all influence how the pelvic floor functions.
Often the goal is not simply “more squeezing”…
It’s better coordination, support and confidence in your body again!
The good news is that small, consistent movement can make a huge difference.
Inside my Ab Rehab Programme, I guide women through progressive pelvic-floor-informed Pilates designed specifically for women in perimenopause and beyond.
With short, manageable workouts and a supportive e-book, the programme helps you understand your body and build strength without overwhelm.
I hope this blog has been useful on shedding the light on the differences between stress + urge incontinence, and would love to continue the chat with you ~ always know my inbox is open for a chat!
Jana xx
You can learn more about Ab Rehab here: https://pilateshuddersfield.co.uk/ab-rehab/