Dehydration Makes Pee Urges & Leaks WORSE!

Dehydration makes Pee Problems Worse! 

Hey there! 😊 Dr. Kelly here to spill the tea on why staying hydrated is a game-changer for your bladder and beyond!

Let's dive in - ever heard that cutting back on water makes pee problems worse? Well, it's true! Dehydration actually concentrates your urine, irritating the bladder and causing it to overreact to signals of being "half-full" or "full."

PICTURE THIS: You’re already annoyed…then someone makes the room too hot (or too cold), plays your LEAST favorite song, and asks you about religion & politics all at once??  Now you’re even MORE annoyed, right?

Yet the SAME thing happens to our bladder when we have pee problems and we try to cut down on our water intake to “fix it.”  The anxiety pees, pee urges, pee frequency or leaks are all happening, then we cut down on our fluid intake…and now our pee is super concentrated and MORE irritating to the bladder....and viola, ANGRIER BLADDER!!  ...And this angrier bladder leads to even tighter pelvic muscles…which annoy the urethra and bladder even more…and the precipitous cycle continues, and we have even more pee problems  :( 

Which is why staying hydrated is crucial.

But how much water do you need?

Start by taking your weight in pounds, divide it by two, and voila - that's your daily fluid ounces goal. Aim for 75% of it to be non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic for a happy bladder and less discomfort.

And no, it's not too much water! Most of us don't drink enough, and going above the recommended amount isn't a problem unless you're chugging gallons every day.

Now, the thirst reflex is sneaky. If you're chronically dehydrated, your brain might turn down the thirst signal, thinking you're stranded in a desert. It's only after a sip that your brain realizes water is available and cranks up that thirst reflex.

Worried you're not drinking enough? Here’s 5 easy ways to check:

5 easy ways to check your water intake

1. Keep a bladder diary for a few days - track your fluids and peeing habits.
2. Accept the results, even if it's a bit of a wake-up call.
3. Check your pee color - it should be a light yellow.
4. Keep an eye on your poop - soft sausage, good; hard pellets, drink more water.
5. If you're breastfeeding, ensure your milk supply is steady - dehydration can mess with it.

If you're slacking in the hydration department, no worries! Gradually add more water each day, making it a meaningful and achievable change.

And if you're still dealing with pee, poop, or sexy time problems, it's time to take action.

Consider Vag Lab, my 2-hour course about life-long care for "down there" that includes so much more than just hydration tips!!  From how to wash your vag (& how NOT to), to when we need to start using vaginal moisturizers AND MORE, it is a best-selling course for good reason :).  And Vag Lab, as well as ALL of my online courses, are streamable from any device, via the amazing app, Kajabi (look for a blue K wherever you get your apps).  This allows seamless streaming across phones, computers and tablets, and means that you will always have your pelvic coach with you, whether at home, in the gym, or out for a walk!  

You can peruse my other streamable online courses here, and if you're not ready to buy a course yet...no worries!  Explore more blog posts, follow me on Instagram (& share my stories and account with friends & family, please), sign up for more info via the mailing list, and consider seeing a Pelvic Physio in person or online - it's a game-changer!!

Cheers to hydration and a healthier you! 🥤💧

#HydrationNation #HappyBladderHappyLife

Thanks for reading!

xoxo, Dr. Kelly