NZ Continence Association

Good Bladder Habits for Everyone Helping people whose lives are affected by bladder and bowel problems.

Healthy Bladder Hints Do you……….

Go to toilet more than 5-8 times in 24 hours?
Get up more than once a night?
Drink less than the normal fluid average intake for a day, ie. 6-8 cups?
Go to the toilet “just in case”?
Wet yourself when you cough, laugh, sneeze or exercise etc?
Have an urgent need to pass urine? Leak before you get to the toilet?
Push and strain to move your bowel?

If you have said “Yes” to any of the above, you may be developing bad bladder habits.

Good Bowel Habits….. Keep your bowel habit regular and avoid constipation. Persistent straining when using your bowel can weaken the pelvic floor muscles.
A regular soft bowel motion passed without straining from three times a day to every third day is considered normal.
Adopt the ideal sitting position for passing a motion.
An adequate fluid and fibre intake will contribute to a soft motion.

Good Bladder Habits….. It is normal to go to the toilet about 5-7 times per day and no more than once at night.
Your bladder should be able to hold up to 2 cups (400-450mls) of urine. You can usually pass between 1 to 2 cups of urine each time you go.
Try to go only when your bladder is full and when you need to go.
Don’t got to the toilet “just in case” as this may result in the bladder developing a smaller capacity (unless you are going on a long trip or just before bed for example.)
Take your time when emptying your bladder so that it empties completely.
Being in a rush may lead to incomplete emptying and predispose you to urinary infections.
Make sure you sit on the seat. Do not bear down to empty. Do not hover over the toilet.

Maintain a good fluid intake

Drink an adequate amount of fluid (This includes tea, coffee, milo, soup etc). Assuming there are no other medical problems 6-8 glasses per day is the amount to aim for. This amount ensures urine does not become concentrated and that there is enough available fluid to keep bowel motions moist and soft, therefore avoiding constipation. It is advisable to limit intake of bladder irritants such as tea, coffee, cola drinks and alcohol.

Maintain good pelvic floor muscle tone

The pelvic floor muscles support your pelvic organs and contribute to bladder and bowel control.
Practice and use your pelvic floor muscles. (See the Pelvic Floor pamphlet).
Use your pelvic floor muscles to brace and support when laughing, lifting, coughing, etc.

Other factors that can influence normal bladder habits:

These include some medications, urinary tract infections, medical conditions, difficult toilet access (e.g. steps), emotional stress, cold temperature, etc.
Seek help from a Health Professional if you have difficulty with any of this information.
Any sudden change in regular bladder habits.

Signs of urinary tract infections Any sudden onset of Incontinence.
Any sudden onset of frequency and urgency.
Any burning and discomfort.
Any blood in the urine.
Any strong odour or cloudy urine.

If you have any of the above, see your G.P.

Other fact sheets available are:

Caring for People with Incontinence
Continence and Prostate - A Guide for undergoing prostate surgery
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Women
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Men
Bladder Control Problems in Women
Urinary Symptoms in Men
Bladder Control Problems in women
Urinary Symptoms in Men
Bladder Retraining
A Healthy Bowel – Bowel Control Problems
Incontinence in Children – Bedwetting and Daytime Problems
Adults and Bedwetting
Dementia and Urinary Incontinence
Older People and Continence Problems
Medications and Incontinence (Health Professionals)



www.continence.org.nz

For all enquiries

BLADDER HELPLINE
Call 0800 650 659

Or Write:

NZCA
PO Box 270
Drury 2247
Auckland

Email: info@continence.org.nz

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