Summer is a wonderful time of year, and most Australians love spending the season with trips to the beach, pool, water parks, campgrounds, and barbecues. But, unfortunately, numerous people managing continence express their feeling as they can no longer don bathers and go for a swim. In addition, some report avoiding using their own pools as they fear contaminating the water with urine leakage.
On the bright side, you no longer need to avoid swimming pools because of your overactive bladder. Instead, there are ways to mitigate or reduce the risk of leakage and enjoy a pool or beach while dealing with incontinence.
Tips for Swimming in the Pool or Ocean
First, please note that it isn’t harmless to wee in the pool. That is because when urine mixes with chlorine, it produces chloramines that, in large amounts, can cause skin and eye irritation.
Remember that because they are chlorinated, small drips of urine will not matter when in a public pool. In fact, many continent individuals urinate in the pool anyway. The same goes for the ocean: it is a massive body of water, and urine leakage will not affect the water’s safety.
However, despite these assurances, it is best to avoid completely emptying your bladder in the pool instead of going to the bathroom.
But how can you mitigate any risk and enjoy your time in the water?
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Empty your bladder
The first tip is to empty your bladder and remove your pad as soon as you get to your swimming destination and are ready to enter the water.
Remember that the incontinence pad will absorb the water you are swimming in. This tendency will cause significant discomfort and risk the pad falling off or bursting. Moreover, the absorption materials can harm fish in open waterways and pool filters.
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Products that can help swimmers
There are various swimwear products for incontinent individuals. However, most are designed more for faecal loss and aren’t appropriate for urinary leakage. So, you have to find an alternative if you are heavily incontinent.
i: There is incontinent swimwear for both adults and children available for sale. But check the product’s suitability and coverage level for urinary incontinence.
ii: Adult women can use external tampon-like devices that they insert into the vagina to apply pressure against the urethra. This placement helps stem the flow of urine. Its primary advantage is that it is discreet and easy to use. Nevertheless, it isn’t for everyone.
iii: Men can use a penile clamp or cuff. This device stems urine flow until you can place a pad back. However, it takes some getting used to, so its use depends solely on an individual’s tolerance. The clamp works by placing it halfway down the length of the penis to compress the urethra and prevent urine escape. But rest assured that modern cuff designs protect the penis’s circulation. Conversely, penile clamps are for short-term use only, so you have to release them every 1 to 2 hours -depending on the manufacturer’s directions.
Hopefully, these solutions allow you to enjoy your summer with quality time in the water. However, if you opt for any of the above devices, please remember that incorrect or too frequent use can bring about side effects, so it is best to seek your GP or continence Nurse’s advice.
You may be interested in: Factors To Consider Before Installing A Swimming Pool