Fibromyalgia and Urinary Incontinence: How are they Linked?

Fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread pain and discomfort. The symptoms can drastically impact quality of life.

Fibromyalgia is a condition that is often overlooked, as people with aches and pains are often told they are deficient in vitamins or nutrients. It normally doesn’t just have one cause, making it even more complicated to diagnose. Specialists assert that many factors such as genes, trauma or an injury can cause Fibromyalgia.

In addition to widespread pain, symptoms include sensitivity, stiffness, extreme fatigue, cognitive problems and poor sleep quality. Surprisingly, urinary incontinence is also among these symptoms. One in five women with Fibromyalgia experience unexplained bladder pain and pressure. It is also common for people with Fibromyalgia to experience a frequent need to urinate and pain during urination. In one research study titled, “pelvic floor and urinary distress in women with Fibromyalgia”, women with Fibromyalgia reported bothersome pelvic floor and urinary symptoms. The study found that when Fibromyalgia impact was worse, pelvic and bladder symptoms were also worse.

Interesting Fact:

About 80% to 90% of people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia are women.

Interstitial Cystitis and Fibromyalgia often Occur Together

Interstitial Cystitis is often misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection. As the diagnosis is often missed, most people have IC for about 4 years before they’re diagnosed correctly. Interstitial cystitis occurs often in women with Fibromyalgia, causing persistent bladder pain. Researchers suspect that chronic infection plays a role for both diseases. The pain of the diseases is believed to originate in the nerves. As both Fibromyalgia and interstitial cystitis are a lot more common in women, so researchers also believe that hormonal or anatomical differences may also be at work.

Fibromyalgia Triggers Nerves Controlling the Nervous System

Like other neurological conditions that can affect the nervous system, Fibromyalgia affects the nerves. The nervous system actually plays an important role in regulating the storage of urine in the bladder. Abnormal nerve signals can cause the bladder to spasm, causing a lack of bladder control. Fibromyalgia causes chronic pain, and chronic pain is thought to sensitize the central nervous system to pain stimuli. It is suggested that this chronic pain therefore triggers the nerves controlling the nerves controlling the urinary system. This explains why urge incontinence is the most common type of incontinence that those with Fibromyalgia experience. You can read our blog for more information on managing a Neurogenic Bladder.

Increased Risk of Other Health Complications

Causes of incontinence in people with Fibromyalgia can also be due to other health complications. A large proportion of women with Fibromyalgia report to have chronic urinary tract infections, which is an independent cause of incontinence. Many people with Fibromyalgia often also have weak pelvic floor muscles, although researchers are still unsure of the cause of this.

Did you Know:

Many people with Fibromyalgia also have Memory and Concentration problems. This is often known as “brain fog”

Treating Bladder Problems linked to Fibromyalgia

The research on bladder problems and Fibromyalgia is ongoing. Talking to a Doctor is vital, as they can recommend a specific bladder treatment programme and lifestyle changes for your case. Remember, there are millions of people in the same position as you.

Exercise the pelvic floor muscles

Doctors often recommend practising pelvic floor exercises, as this helps to strengthen the muscles and make you more aware of your muscles. They are particularly recommended for people with stress, urge and mixed incontinence. They consist of contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles. Are you unsure how to do these? Read how to do pelvic floor muscles here.

Practice Bladder Training

This technique focuses on increasing the length of time you go in between urinating. You should ask your Doctor about a bladder training programme that is safe for you. This method is used most commonly for urge incontinence. Doing this will help you gain bladder control over the urge to urinate and increase the amount of urine you can hold.

Concentrate on Your Diet

It is important to try and avoid known bladder irritants, such as caffeine, spicy foods and carbonated drinks. You should also try and cut down on fluids slightly, however ensure you do not become dehydrated. A Doctor will recommend a safe diet plan for you depending on the type of incontinence you have.

The Fibromyalgia Bladder Index

The high prevalence of bladder problems has Fibromyalgia has even led to the development of a tool known as the “Fibromyalgia Bladder Index”. This tool helps doctors and patients to assess bladder symptoms that aren’t related to urinary tract infections. The potential of this tool is enormous, as it can help Doctors to track information on the progression of bladder problems with Fibromyalgia.