How hypnosis can help incontinence

Incontinence is when someone has difficulty controling bladder or bowel movements. Here we'll be exploring how hypnotherapy could support you if you're experiencing incontinence.

There are several causes for incontinence including weak muscles, nerve problems and medical conditions. In some cases, stress and anxiety can worsen incontinence as it triggers overactive bladder signals.

Incontinence linked to stress and anxiety can make you suddenly feel like you need to urinate and not make it to the toilet in time. This is often called urge incontinence.  Tension caused by stress can affect the muscles in the pelvic floor. As these muscles help us hold in urine, if they are too tense, they can lead to what is known as stress incontinence. 

Stress and anxiety can also put our nervous system into 'fight or flight' mode. Being in this state of fight or flight can send signals to the bladder or bowels, making you feel like you need the bathroom more, even if you don't need to go. This happens because stress hormones (like cortisol and adrenaline) can overstimulate the bladder, sending incorrect signals that it's full. 

Over time, this can all lead to the bladder becoming hypersensitive, increasing the frequency of incontinence episodes. 

If you are struggling with this, reaching out to a medical professional is a key first step. They will be able to check to see if any medical conditions are causing the issue and offer the next steps if this is the case. Finding out the underlying cause is essential for understanding what approach to take next.

How can hypnotherapy help with incontinence? 

If your incontinence is linked to, or made worse by stress and anxiety hypnotherapy could help. During hypnotherapy, a hypnotherapist will put you into a deep state of relaxation, where your mind is more open to suggestion. 

The suggestions implemented through hypnosis can help to ease stress, reduce anxiety and make you feel more relaxed. They can help your brain send more helpful signals to your bladder and bowel, with the intention of reducing the sudden urge. 

Hypnotherapy can also help you cope with any difficult feelings you may have around incontinence, such as shame or worry about having an accident. Positive suggestions can help to take the potency out of the worry, helping you take back control of your reactions. 

Your hypnotherapist may also provide self-hypnosis audios for you to listen to. This means between sessions, or when your therapy is over, you can reinforce the positive suggestions and continue the work to reduce stress.

What other therapies help?

There are several therapeutic approaches you can try to cope with incontinence. Some people find cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helpful in understanding their emotional and physical responses to incontinence. Biofeedback may also be recommended. This is an approach that aims to retrain and strengthen muscles to improve symptoms.

Self-help tools to help with incontinence

Aiming to lower your overall stress and anxiety levels can go a long way in helping with stress-related incontinence. Alongside hypnotherapy, these self-help tools are worth exploring:

• reducing caffeine and alcohol intake
• getting more physical activity to reduce stress (avoid exercises that put pressure on your pelvic floor and aim for strengthening exercises like Pilates)
• eating a well-rounded, balanced diet avoiding too much sugar
• stay hydrated
• quit smoking
• mindfulness techniques
• breathwork
• pelvic floor exercises

You may also find it helpful to speak to others who experience bladder and bowel problems. The Bladder and Bowel Community have a support group that may be helpful.

Remember, if you're struggling with incontinence, you are not alone. Use our site to find a hypnotherapist today.