Is Impressa^® A Bladder Control Tampon?

Questions Women Ask About Poise^® Impressa^®

Do you talk to your girlfriends about bladder leakage? When I started this blog six years ago, I asked my friends if they pee a little with a cough, laugh, or sneeze. I heard crickets… at first. Now, they're the ones who bring it up. Especially lately. They've been curious, and a bit confused, about the new Poise® Impressa® Bladder Supports. As a coach, I recognize that if one woman has questions, others will too. So, I'm sharing a recent conversation I had with a friend who had a lot of questions.

She asked me, "What exactly is Impressive®?"

"It is impressive, but it's actually called Poise^® Impressa^®," I said. "It's a brand new product designed to help stop leaks before they happen."

At first, she asked if it was a new Poise® bladder control pad.

"It's not a pad," I said, "Poise^® Impressa^® is a bladder support that you insert into the vagina, like a tampon. It gently supports the urethra to help prevent leaks when you laugh, cough, sneeze, or do anything active."

I opened my laptop to show her a video interview I did with Dr. Jennifer Berman that shows what Poise^® Impressa^® looks like.

"So, they're bladder control tampons?" she asked.

She's not the only one to confuse Poise^® Impressa^® with a tampon. Some ladies call it a "bladder tampon" because it looks like a tampon, but it's actually a bladder support. Tampons are absorbent. Poise^® Impressa^® is not. It doesn't absorb leaks. It helps prevent leaks from happening, so you can feel free to do all the things you want to do without worrying about an embarrassing moment.

"Will it feel comfortable when I'm wearing it?" she asked.

"When you find the right size, it should be comfortable and help stop leaks. Your size is based on internal fit. It's not determined by your clothing size or how much you leak." I said.

I told her about the Poise^® Impressa^® Sizing Kit that comes with six bladder supports – two in each of the three different sizes.

"Try size 1 first. If it's comfortable, but you still leak, then try size 2. If it's comfortable, but you still leak, then go up to size 3. Once you find your right size, it should be comfortable, and you can wear it for a total of 12 hours per 24 hour period," I said.

At this point I was starting to feel like a commercial, so I tried to change the subject. But, she still had questions.

She asked, "What if you're very dry? Lately, when I use tampons, it's uncomfortable putting it in."

"If you need to, you can use a little water-based lubrication to insert it," I said. "There are some simple things you can do to treat vaginal dryness like staying hydrated and eating foods rich in fatty acids, but anytime you notice changes, like dryness or leaks, check with your doctor because every woman's body is different."

I recommended Poise^® Impressa^® to my friend because she experiences stress urinary incontinence (SUI) – leaks from pressure on the bladder when exercising, coughing, or with a big sneeze. It's not for women who experience urge urinary incontinence (UUI) – that sudden "got to go" feeling that has you running for the restroom.

In both my personal and professional life I love helping women find ways to overcome challenges and get on with their lives. If you'd like more information about Poise^® Impressa^® Bladder Supports, please visit www.poise.com/products/impressa.

Have you tried Poise® Impressa® Bladder Supports?

If so, please tell us what you think in the comments.