An insight into the evolution of Jude, from awareness to action, and how science-led thinking now shapes our approach to bladder health and long-term strength.

Stronger, Together: The Evolution of Jude 

Burning when you wee, a sudden urge to go and repeated trips to the toilet are classic urinary tract infection symptoms - but if you are testing negative for a UTI, what on earth is going on? We take a closer look...


UTI Symptoms, But Your Test Is Negative? Here's What Else Could Be Going On

UTI symptoms – But Your Test is Negative? Here's What Else Could Be Going On  

Your bladder contains muscle, but it isn't a muscle you can consciously strengthen. In fact, when we talk about "strengthening your bladder", we're usually talking about something else entirely. Here's why it's important to understand what we strengthen – and why. 

The Surprising Truth About What Makes Your Bladder Stronger

The surprising truth about what makes your bladder stronger

Noticed the need to pee as soon as you start working out, walking or doing the Strength Method at home? 
The need to pee can be disruptive to our exercise plans - and here's why it matters. 

Need a Wee The Minute You Start Exercising? Here’s Why

Need a wee the minute you start exercising? Here’s Why

Vaginal dryness and bladder problems might feel like two completely separate issues. One affects your vagina; the other has you planning your day around the nearest loo. Here's how to know what's happening when the two are connected. 

Dry, Sore and Always Needing a Wee? These Symptoms Could Be Connected

Dry, sore and always needing a wee? These symptoms could be connected

Histamine and Bladder Urgency: What Does The Science Say?

Histamine and bladder urgency: what does the science say?

Getting The Basics Right: How Often Should You Actually Pee? 

How Often Should You Actually Pee?

Shame is one of the biggest barriers to bladder health. From delaying treatment to changing the way we use the toilet, research suggests stigma can have a surprising impact on how bladder symptoms are experienced and managed. Here's what the science tells us.

The Science of Shame: How Stigma Can Make Bladder Symptoms Worse

If coffee, wine, citrus fruits or spicy foods seem to affect your bladder, there's a biological reason why that it is useful to understand better – and understanding the science behind bladder irritants helps to manage our health better. 

The Science of Bladder Irritants: Why Certain Foods and Drinks Affect Some People More Than Others

Can recurrent UTIs cause bladder leaks? Understand the link between repeat infections, bladder urgency and incontinence – and when to seek advice.

Lower Levels of Urinary Nerve Growth Factor Might Predict Recurrent UTIs in Women — International Neurourology Journal, 2016 Defines recurrent UTI and shows inflammation markers can persist after infections clear.

Recurrent UTI in Women and Overactive Bladder – Is There a Relationship? — Tzu Chi Medical Journal, 2021 Links chronic bladder inflammation to overactive bladder symptoms.

UTI in Overactive Bladder: An Update on Pathophysiological Mechanisms — Frontiers in Physiology, 2022 Shows infection-driven inflammation heightens bladder nerve sensitivity.

An Overgrowth of Nerve Cells Appears to Cause Lingering Symptoms After Recurrent UTIs — Duke Health / Science Immunology, 2024 Identifies bladder nerve overgrowth as a likely cause of lingering symptoms.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause — StatPearls — NCBI Bookshelf, 2024 Explains how low oestrogen raises recurrent UTI risk after menopause.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: AUA/SUFU/AUGS Guideline — American Urological Association, 2025 Guideline confirming GSM covers urinary symptoms, including recurrent UTIs.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause MedCase — Goodfellow Unit, 2025 Confirms vaginal oestrogen reduces recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women.

Can UTIs Cause Leaks? The Link Between Recurrent Infections and Bladder Urgency

Why can UTIs cause leaks? The link between recurrent infections and bladder urgency

Refers to the inflammation or discomfort experienced in the bladder due to various factors such as acidic foods or artificial additives, leading to symptoms like urgency and frequency of urination.



The strategic approach of limiting and balancing fluid intake before and during travel to reduce the urgency and frequency of restroom visits.

Informing flight attendants or travel companions about incontinence needs to ensure quick access to restrooms and additional support during the trip.

Do you feel daunted about travelling if you are experiencing leaks and need-to-go urgency? For those of us dealing with incontinence, the prospect of long journeys by plane, train, or car can mean it feels easier to stay close to home - but we are missing out on experiences and memories as a result. Here's our top tips for managing leaks while travelling...

Jude has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic

research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible

sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure

our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bladder irritants and your diet. (2015, January 5). Retrieved from 

Sources

How we reviewed this article:

8 Tips to help you travel with confidence while managing incontinence

How can I go on holiday... with incontinence?

A urinary condition characterized by a sudden and frequent urge to urinate, often leading to involuntary bladder contractions and potential leakage, significantly impacting daily life and quality of life.

Sugar substitutes like aspartame and saccharin, often found in processed foods, which can irritate the bladder lining and exacerbate symptoms of urgency and incontinence.

Do tomatoes make you run for the loo? What about grapefruits, or chocolate, or even your morning bowl of cereal? What we eat can have a huge impact on our bladder health - so let's take a look at the main foods that may be triggering your leaks. 

Do tomatoes cause leaks? 6 foods that make you dash for the loo

Do tomatoes cause leaks? 6 Foods that make you dash for the loo

A metaphorical term that describes the restriction women historically faced due to the lack of public toilets, and now encompasses modern-day bladder challenges and societal taboos.

The sudden urge to urinate that one might experience when approaching and unlocking their front door, often seen as a psychological trigger.

Delve into the 'loo leash' phenomenon, highlighting women's bladder challenges from historical restrictions to present-day solutions. Discover the impact of public toilet availability, societal taboos, and innovative products designed for bladder care.

Are you on a loo leash?

Are you on a 'loo leash'? 

This is a subtype of urinary incontinence characterised by a strong urge to urinate when the individual approaches and unlocks their front door or is about to insert a key into their door lock, hence the term 'latchkey'.

Estrogen: A hormone produced primarily in the ovaries, estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the bladder and urethra's lining, and a decrease in its levels post-menopause can lead to urinary incontinence

These are medical conditions that affect the nervous system, including diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's, or events like strokes, and they can disrupt the communication between the brain and bladder, leading to symptoms of urge incontinence.

Do you ever find yourself arriving home, reaching to open your front door only to realise that the slightest pressure from the key in your hand sets off a sudden urge to pee? You're not alone!

5 Key Reasons Explaining Latchkey Incontinence: Understanding the Causes

Practical guides, expert insights, and honest answers on bladder and pelvic floor health.

Our dedication is to deliver reliable, accessible, and precise information, empowering you to take charge of your health and well-being. We adhere to a stringent Editorial Process to guarantee that the information we provide is of the highest quality.

This Editorial Process, crafted by the team at Jude, is the foundation of our work. But what exactly is this process? How do we make certain that every piece of content we publish aligns with our high standards?

Our team meticulously produces and fine-tunes each piece of content, guided by the 4 pillars of our editorial process. These pillars — (1) building and sustaining trust; (2) upholding rigorous journalistic principles; (3) focusing on accuracy, empathy, and inclusivity; and (4) ongoing review and refreshment of our content — ensure that the information you receive is current, scientifically-backed, and meets your needs.

We’re committed to being a source you can turn to for timely and evidence-based health information.

Our editorial guidelines

How we built this article:

 Join our newsletter, The Leaky Times, for tips and trick to life’s trickly moments!

Sign up and take control of your bladder

Join our newsletter, The Leaky Times, for tips and trick to life’s trickly moments!

Shop by

Bladder Health

Day & Night Duo

Strength & Sleep Duo

Pelvic Floor

Night Bladder

About

Learn

Help

Refer a friend and
Get £10

Jude’s Journal

8 Tips to help you travel with confidence while managing incontinence

Do tomatoes cause leaks? 6 foods that make you dash for the loo

Are you on a loo leash?

Stronger, Together: The Evolution of Jude

UTI Symptoms, But Your Test Is Negative? Here's What Else Could Be Going On

The Surprising Truth About What Makes Your Bladder Stronger

Need a Wee The Minute You Start Exercising? Here’s Why

Dry, Sore and Always Needing a Wee? These Symptoms Could Be Connected

Histamine and Bladder Urgency: What Does The Science Say?

Getting The Basics Right: How Often Should You Actually Pee?

THE SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT

Bladder care, in your inbox

About

Learn

Help

Refer a friend and Get £10

Jude’s Journal

8 Tips to help you travel with confidence while managing incontinence

Do tomatoes cause leaks? 6 foods that make you dash for the loo

Are you on a loo leash?

Stronger, Together: The Evolution of Jude

UTI Symptoms, But Your Test Is Negative? Here's What Else Could Be Going On

The Surprising Truth About What Makes Your Bladder Stronger

Need a Wee The Minute You Start Exercising? Here’s Why

Dry, Sore and Always Needing a Wee? These Symptoms Could Be Connected

Histamine and Bladder Urgency: What Does The Science Say?

Getting The Basics Right: How Often Should You Actually Pee?

THE SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT

Bladder care, in your inbox

Refer a friend and
Get £10