You’re probably aware that not getting enough vitamin D can cause problems with your bones, but did you know that a deficiency of this important vitamin may also cause incontinence? Indeed, there’s evidence that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to urinary and bowel incontinence. A recent study revealed that women with higher vitamin D levels had a lower risk of pelvic floor disorders such as incontinence.
This is important information to have because researchers say that 25% of women suffer from some type of pelvic floor disorder such as urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse. Furthermore, the risk of developing any of these disorders appears to increase with age. The results of the study suggest that treating any existing vitamin D deficiency might make a difference by improving the strength of the pelvic muscles and lowering the risk of pelvic floor disorders (including incontinence).
New Reasons to Avoid Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is essential for muscle and bone strength. The human body can produce vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure, but many people don’t get enough each day to keep vitamin D levels where they should be for optimum health. Fortunately, vitamin D is also present in foods such as fortified dairy products and certain supplements.
It’s already common knowledge that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a greater risk of osteoporosis, but the realisation that not having enough of this essential vitamin can contribute to pelvic floor disorders is relatively new. 82% of the 1,881 participants in the study mentioned above (who were all non-pregnant women over the age of 20) had vitamin D levels that were considered too low. Furthermore, 23% of the women reported one or more pelvic floor disorders. What’s interesting is that average vitamin D levels were much lower among those who did report incontinence or another pelvic floor disorder.
In addition – particularly in older women – higher vitamin D levels were associated with a lower risk of urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders. In fact, the risk of urinary incontinence was 45% lower among those with normal vitamin D levels than those with lower levels. There was also a relationship found between higher vitamin D levels and a lower risk of bowel incontinence, although this relationship was not as significant or obvious as the one between higher vitamin D levels and urinary incontinence.
Incontinence Pants for Men and Women through Holistic Incontinence
If you are experiencing incontinence, speak to your doctor about it and ask about your vitamin D levels – it’s possible you might be able to improve your symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes or medication (including vitamin D supplements). In the meantime, you can find an array of incontinence pants for women and men on our website. We offer incontinence pants for men and women as well as a full range of products including all-in-ones, pads, pull up pants, underpads, and skin care products to make living with incontinence as easy as possible. We also price our incontinence pants for women and men lower than the leading brands. Give us a call today if we can answer any questions for you!