Most people don’t think about their bladder very often. But as you get older, it’s something that requires a little bit more attention.
Here’s what you need to know about how your bladder changes as you age, why it happens, and what you can do about it.
Bladder changes and symptoms
Your bladder is part of your urinary system, which filters and removes toxins, waste, and excess water from your body. Located in your lower abdomen, your bladder is a muscle that can hold up to two cups of urine. As you age, the bladder undergoes some changes.
• Less elasticity: As you get older, your bladder tissue becomes less elastic, which means it can't expand as much as it used to. This reduces the amount of urine it can hold, causing you to need to urinate more often.
• Weaker muscles: Aging may weaken the muscles in your bladder wall and pelvic floor. This makes it harder to completely empty your bladder. In addition, this weakening of the muscles makes it harder to hold your urine inside your bladder, which may lead to leakage or urinary incontinence.
• Prolapse: If you have a uterus, deteriorated pelvic muscles can cause your bladder to fall out of its normal position, a condition known as prolapse. This can happen after childbirth or during menopause. Prolapse can make it difficult to empty your bladder, increase the urge to urinate frequently, and lead to leakage.
• Prostate growth: If you have a prostate gland, it may grow with aging to the point that it partially or totally blocks your bladder outlet. That can cause difficulty starting to urinate, a weak urine stream, incomplete emptying, and a frequent need to urinate, including at night.
• Higher risk of urinary tract infections: Not being able to fully empty your bladder can cause urine to stay in the urinary tract, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. This increases your risk of getting urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Bladder cancer: The risk of bladder cancer also increases with age, with the average diagnosis occurring at around 73 years old.
When to see a doctor
If you experience symptoms like frequent urination, leakage, difficulty emptying your bladder, or anything unusual, it’s important to see a doctor. These could be signs of aging-related bladder problems, a UTI, or even bladder cancer.
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Tips for bladder health
Here are some steps you can take to maintain a healthy bladder, especially as you get older:
• Stay hydrated: Drink enough water throughout the day and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can irritate your bladder.
• Eat healthily and exercise: Maintaining a healthy diet and staying active helps support bladder function.
• Don’t hold It: When you need to urinate, go as soon as you can. Holding it for too long can overstretch and weaken the bladder muscles, increasing your risk of getting a UTI.
• Empty completely: Take your time when urinating to make sure you completely empty your bladder.
• Avoid unnecessary trips: Don’t try to urinate if you don’t actually need to. This can train your bladder to feel like it needs to go when it doesn’t.
• Practice relaxation: Relax the muscles in your pelvic floor while urinating. This makes it easier to fully empty your bladder.
• Kegel exercises: If you have issues with leakage, Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor, reducing the risk of leaks when sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects.
• Hygiene: Wipe from front to back to avoid transferring bacteria, urinate after sex, and wear breathable cotton underwear to reduce infection risks.
• Medication side effects: Some medications may cause side effects such as reduced bladder control, so it’s important to bring this up with your doctor.
The bottom line
As you age, your bladder will inevitably change. But fortunately, many of these changes are manageable! By taking care of your bladder health and knowing what issues to watch for, you can minimize the impact of these changes and get medical help when you need it.