Bladder Training Techniques
Build healthy bladder habits through simple, personalized strategies
What Is Bladder Training and How Can It Help?
Bladder training techniques are a form of behavioral therapy designed to help improve bladder control and reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence. These techniques aim to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits and help the bladder hold urine for longer periods.
Urinary incontinence can lead to discomfort, embarrassment, and limitations in daily life. Bladder training offers a non-invasive, effective strategy for regaining control and improving your quality of life.
What Is Bladder Training and How Can It Help?
Bladder training techniques are a form of behavioral therapy designed to help improve bladder control and reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence. These techniques aim to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits and help the bladder hold urine for longer periods.
Urinary incontinence can lead to discomfort, embarrassment, and limitations in daily life. Bladder training offers a non-invasive, effective strategy for regaining control and improving your quality of life.
Understanding Bladder Training
Bladder training, also known as bladder retraining, is a non-pharmacological method that helps you better recognize your body’s urinary signals and optimize the timing of urination to reduce leakage.
Bladder training can help manage urinary incontinence and overactive bladder by:
Improving bladder control
Reducing urinary frequency
Increasing bladder capacity
It is often used in combination with medications or other treatments for managing both stress and urge incontinence.
How Bladder Training Helps
Bladder training can reduce incontinence symptoms by:
Redirecting attention away from the urge to urinate
Reducing anxiety related to frequent urination
Strengthening your ability to resist urges
Increasing endurance to hold urine longer
Bladder Training Techniques
There are several strategies that can help improve bladder control by gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits and reducing urgency. These techniques are simple, non-invasive, and can be personalized to your daily routine to support better long-term bladder health.
Bladder Diary
A bladder diary (or voiding diary) helps track urinary habits and identify patterns. It may include:
Time and date of each urination
Estimated urine volume
Urgency level before urinating
Any leakage incidents
Fluid intake
Activities or triggers that affected bladder behavior
This diary provides useful insight into bladder function and guides treatment planning.
Scheduled Voiding
Scheduled voiding involves urinating on a set schedule rather than waiting for the urge. Based on the bladder diary, bathroom visits are planned and spaced gradually further apart. This may include “double voiding”—urinating, waiting a few minutes, and trying again—to ensure the bladder is fully emptied.
The goal is to train your bladder to hold more urine over time and reduce the need for frequent trips to the restroom.
Delaying Urination
This technique involves holding off on urination when the urge arises and sticking to a schedule. To help delay urination, patients may use distraction and relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, focusing on a task, or engaging in conversation.
Training begins by holding urine a few extra minutes, then gradually increasing the time to 2–3 hours between voids. With consistent practice, you can build better bladder control.
Kegel Exercises
Pelvic floor strengthening is an important complement to bladder training. Kegel exercises target the muscles responsible for controlling the flow of urine. When practiced regularly, they help reduce leakage and enhance bladder control.
These exercises are especially beneficial when combined with other retraining techniques.
Fluid Intake
Monitoring fluid intake plays a key role in managing symptoms. Techniques include:
Avoiding large fluid consumption before bedtime
Spacing out fluid intake evenly throughout the day
Avoiding bladder irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
These habits help reduce nighttime urination, control urgency, and minimize leakage.
Why Patients Trust Northwest Continence Center
We take a science-based, compassionate approach that puts your comfort and results first.
Advanced Axonics Therapy
A minimally invasive solution that restores nerve communication for lasting relief.
Personalized, Science-Based Care
Every treatment plan is tailored to your unique needs using proven medical approaches.
Experienced, Specialized Providers
Our experts are trained in continence-focused procedures and neuromodulation techniques.
Judgment-Free Patient Support
We create a respectful, compassionate environment where you feel safe and heard.
We’re More Than Just a Clinic
We understand that incontinence can be emotional and isolating. That’s why we’re committed to making your experience safe, respectful, and empowering. Every visit is designed to make you feel heard and supported.
Let’s find the right solution together.