Many people with bladder control problems or incontinence report that their symptoms are much worse in the colder weather. They find that they have to go to the toilet more frequently and urgently to pass urine when the weather turns cold.

Cold weather indeed affects the bladder by making the bladder muscle more irritable resulting in overactivity causing the symptoms of frequency and urgency.

How the lower temperature directly affects the bladder is not fully understood but people with bladder symptoms find they are going to the toilet more often, having to rush to get there on time or having more accidents with their bladder.

 
Well known bladder irritants

There are many things that can irritate the bladder and cause it be overactive:

• Caffeine found in coffee, cola and chocolate. Limit or exclude these from your fluid intake
• Alcohol Limit or exclude from your fluid consumption
• Tannin a substance found in tea. It usually has less of an irritant effect than caffeine but have a variety of fluids don’t rely on tea as you main source of fluid.
• Fizzy drinks – carbonated drinks can cause bladder irritation so limit or exclude these from your fluid intake
• Artificial sweeteners may have an irritant affect on your bladder
• Constipation. The full bowel puts pressure on the bladder causing irritation so make sure your bowel are regular
• Pregnancy. Usually the symptoms of frequency and urgency are experienced in early pregnancy then again late in the pregnancy.
• Urinary tract infections
• Enlarge prostate causing pressure on the bladder
• Neurological diseases that cause damage to nerves controlling the bladder e.g. MS, Parkinson Disease and Stroke

 For many people with overactive bladder the cause is not known.

 What can you do?

 Keeping warm may be the obvious answer and this may help but perhaps better advice is to practice the Hints for Bladder & Bowel Health. If your problem is causing you concern or is getting worse seek help as bladder control problems rarely go away without you doing something about it.

 Where can you get help?

 Call the National Continence Helpline 1800 33 00 66 and they will be able to advise you of your local continence services.