Bladder-friendly diet choices

Exercise aside, other lifestyle factors and tweaks can play a role in improving pelvic health. Diet is hugely important. “Anything acidic, carbonated, alcoholic or containing caffeine can cause cystitis-like symptoms,” explains Dr Sarah Jenkins, a leading expert in pelvic health.

She recalls having to deal with an acute case of urinary retention (where you’re unable to empty all the urine from the bladder) caused by cocaine consumption when working as a junior doctor at a hospital. “Until then, I didn’t have a clue that lots of drugs can induce urinary symptoms,” she tells me.

Addressing psychological aspects

And then there’s the psychological aspect of peeing. I’d describe myself as an anxious pee-er, always needing a wee before a journey or meeting. Dr Ponsford confirms that this is definitely a thing. “The adrenaline released when we’re anxious can stimulate the detrusor muscle of the bladder, as well as having an effect on the nerve pathways to the bladder,” she explains. “That causes the bladder to contract and gives us the urge to pass urine.”

“I’ve lived with a weak bladder for years – here’s how I’ve finally managed to deal with the symptoms”