Frequent trips to the bathroom at night can lead to interrupted sleep
Waking up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet is often ignored as just being a part of ageing, but for numerous women it indicates a bladder that has grown more sensitive or prone to irritation. Approximately one in three British women suffer from bladder leakage, and the menopause can heighten the risk of pelvic floor weakness, regular toilet trips and interrupted sleep.
Whilst there isn’t a single dietary fix for bladder weakness, studies indicate that daily food, drink and supplement decisions can affect bladder comfort. Some may potentially irritate the bladder lining, whilst others promote hydration, digestion and pelvic health.
Before examining the foods the NHS identifies as potentially contributing to night-time bathroom trips, it’s worth considering what can be added to the diet to support bladder health more broadly. Fruit and vegetables with a high water content such as melon or cucumber, for example, may be beneficial.
Fibre-rich foods are equally as important for a healthy diet. Constipation can lead to an excessively full bowel that puts additional pressure on the pelvic floor and bladder.
There’s also the possibility of supplements to help support the bladder. Jude’s Nourish Your Bladder With Jude Supplements are currently £75, reduced from £108, for a comprehensive 12-week plan, which includes 180 capsules, according to Birmingham Live. This works out to 82p-a-day.
Nourish Your Bladder With Jude Supplements
The 12 week plan comes with free delivery and a free water bottle, plus you save 30% on every order.
Shoppers can receive an additional 20% discount with the code MEDIA20, and the 12-week plan includes complimentary delivery and an insulated water bottle. This supplement, featured on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, is crafted with pumpkin seed extract and soy germ extract – two plant-based ingredients frequently used to support the bladder’s natural rhythm.
Pumpkin seeds are packed with a variety of nutrients, including magnesium, zinc, iron, B vitamins and omega-6 fatty acids, all of which can aid in proper bladder function. Soy germ extract contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that interact with the body similarly to oestrogen.
Oestrogen plays a crucial role in bladder, pelvic floor and urinary tract health, and levels naturally decrease with age, particularly during menopause.
Developed in the UK alongside nutrition and women’s health experts, Jude is vegan, gluten free and naturally sourced. The brand has been tested by over 100,000 women and is available in more than 2,600 Boots and Holland and Barrett stores across the country.
Each starter kit includes a 12 week supply of supplements, a complimentary insulated water bottle and a bladder health guide. But even with the use of additional supplements and more a bladder-friendly diet, steering clear of certain foods can help calm the bladder for a better night’s sleep.
These include:
- Caffeine can stimulate the bladder and increase urine production, according to the NHS. This can make people feel the urge to pee more often and it can also irritate the bladder lining, which might worsen urgency and leaks.
- Alcohol ‘can make pee more acidic and irritate the lining of your bladder’, says the NHS.
- Spicy foods can be an issue, according to Urology Specialists, as it can irritate the bladder lining, triggering urgency and discomfort.
- Tomatoes and citrus fruits are also mentioned by Urology Specialists – they are both highly acidic, which can inflame the bladder lining and increase sensitivity.
For those interested in trying bladder supplements, Bladapure D-Mannose 120 Capsules are available at Holland & Barrett for £22.49, reduced from £29.99. These capsules are said to support urinary tract health with a blend of pure D-Mannose, organic cranberry, and inulin.
Healthspan Bladder Support Supplements are also available at Boots for £23.99 for 60 capsules. Boots describes them as a “natural solution for bladder health,” suitable for both men and women.
Jude’s Bladder Health Supplements have received high praise from customers, boasting a 4.7-star rating from 4,737 reviews on Trustpilot. One customer named Rachel shared: “Since starting menopause in 2018 I have been plagued by getting up through the night busting for a wee. This year has been horrendous with getting up every 45 minutes. After checking Jude out and doing the research and the mathematics I decided to go ahead and I’m bloody happy I did as having a decent amount of sleep has been a life changer for me.”
Another customer named Fiona shared: “Really sceptical as menopause coupled with a persistent cough had left me soggy even after LOTS of pelvic floor exercises. I had spent money on various toners and although the kegels had worked for me in the past the cough just seems to have undone all that good work. Anyway the pills are FABULOUS. Two weeks in and I’m noticing that I’ve been much much drier and today I’m experimenting pad free.”
Results can vary between individuals, with one review noting: “I have started my journey and am quite new to it, I haven’t found a lot of improvement but I am definitely going to continue with it and hopefully things will improve.”
Another commented: “A little slow in arriving but otherwise excellent.”
On the whole, the majority were satisfied, including shopper Marie who said: “I can’t recommend this product enough. I had the most embarrassing and upsetting experience at work. The urgency and frequency of needing the toilet with very little warning, caused me to have an accident. I was afraid to go anywhere and always needed to know where the nearest toilet was. I started working from home and I felt isolated, anxious and depressed. […] After just a couple of months, I have returned to the office, I don’t wake 3-4 times a night to go to the toilet! Menopausal brain fog, hot flushes, mood swings, joint pain are often talked about. Bladder weakness not so much but the struggle is real.”
For an additional 20% off Jude’s supplements, apply the code MEDIA20.
