Bladder Retraining Program

Patient Education

Practice Hours

Monday through Thursday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Friday
8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Dahlonega Office
706-864-3400

Dawsonville Office
706-216-2345

Testimonials

I want to thank you so much for the wonderful care I have received from your office. From the beginning when I had so many problems, through my pregnancy, and finally the birth of our daughter, you and the staff have been nothing short of courteous, professional and very supportive. I always look forward to my visits and know that I am getting the best care possible. - Allyson P

Bladder Retraining Program

In order to bring your bladder problem under control, you must re-educate your bladder and learn to resist early false sensations of bladder fullness. Retraining (or "stretching") your bladder will help to control leakage. You can do this by trying to hold on for as long as possible before passing water.

It is important that you do not restrict your fluid intake.
When you get the feeling that you need to pass urine, suppress the urge until the sensation lessens or subsides.
At first this will be difficult, but as you persevere it will become easier.
Sitting on a hard seat may help you to hold on to your urine for longer. Helpful distractors include taking deep breaths, counting backwards from 100, etc.
Contrating the pelvic floor muscles (Kegel manuver) can also help to abort the desire to void.
If you wake up at night, try to hold on if you can; if possible, turn over and go back to sleep.
If you have been prescribed tablets to help you pass your urine less frequently, take them regularly as directed.
You should aim to reduce the frequency with which you pass urine to five or six times in 24 hours.

You are trying to re-educate your bladder so that it will hold more urine. Although you may find this difficult at first, with practice it will get easier.

Example of bladder drill:

Hold on to your urine for a fixed time, such as an hour.
Use the bladder retraining program to suppress early urges.
Gradually increase the time interval (for instance, an additional 15 minutes weekly) between voids until an acceptable voiding pattern is achieved.

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