People who experience bladder weakness should not suffer in silence, particularly if symptoms affect their self-esteem or impact on daily activities. It is important to seek medical advice for a correct diagnosis and help with treating and managing the condition. Management products are available from the pharmacy, and you can offer the following advice:

1. Symptom diary

A useful first step is to keep a diary of symptoms. Customers should record what they drink, when they go to the toilet, and any episodes of urine leakage.

2. Pelvic floor exercises

Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles helps support the bladder and provides control during urination. These muscles can be felt when we stop the flow of urine when going to the toilet €“ although it's not a good idea to do this regularly.

To exercise these muscles, customers should practise squeezing them 10-15 times in a row. This should be done without holding the breath or using other muscles in the stomach, buttocks, etc.

The number of squeezes and the length of time they are held for should be gradually increased. When performed regularly over three to six months, these exercises should have a beneficial effect on stress incontinence.

3. Bladder weakness management products 

Specially designed protection pads and pants, in a range of sizes and absorbencies, are available for both men and women. Available brands include TENA, Always Discreet and Depend.

Discourage women from buying sanitary towels for their bladder weakness symptoms. Urine is thinner and released in larger quantities than menstrual discharge so a pad designed specifically for incontinence is more beneficial. Also, bacteria in urine can release ammonia, creating a distinctive smell that requires specific odour control.

4. OTC tamsulosin

Men aged 45-75 who go to the toilet frequently because of an enlarged prostate may be able to self-medicate with OTC tamsulosin (e.g. Flomax Relief MR). Customers who request this product for the first time should be referred to the pharmacist.

If appropriate, they will be able to buy a two-week trial pack and, after this, a further four-week supply. Men taking OTC tamsulosin should see a doctor within the first six weeks for a full prostate check, after which they may continue to self-medicate, provided they see a doctor annually and/or if their symptoms change or worsen.