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Young people deserve to feel confident, supported and in control of their health. Bladder and bowel leakage (incontinence) can affect people of all ages, including teenagers and young adults.
With the right information and care, incontinence can be managed or even cured.
Around 1 in 50 teenagers in Australia experience some form of incontinence (source: Dept. of Health, Disability and Ageing) . It’s more common than people think, and support is available.
Leakage might happen during the day or at night and can involve urine (wee) – called urinary incontinence, or faeces (poo) – called bowel incontinence.
Understand what’s happening
Daytime wetting may be linked to an overactive bladder or weakened pelvic floor muscles or a bladder or kidney infection.
Soiling (leaking poo) may be caused by constipation, loose and soft faeces (poo), weakened pelvic floor muscles or medical conditions.
Bedwetting is common in childhood and can continue into the teenage years.
What to look out for
Talk to a nurse continence specialist, pelvic health physiotherapist or GP (doctor) if you notice you are:
- needing to pass urine (wee) more often than others
- leaking on the way to or from the toilet
- leaking when you cough, laugh, sneeze, lift or exercise
- wetting the bed at night
- soiling from faeces (poo) on your underwear.
These issues can often be treated, managed or even cured.
If you are not satisfied with the advice from your health professional, you have the option to seek a second opinion from a qualified health professional.
Causes and treatments for bedwetting
Bedwetting can be caused by:
- the body making a large amount of urine (wee) through the night
- having a bladder that can only store a small amount of urine (wee)
- not being able to fully wake up from sleep.
- overactive bladder.
Other things that can make it hard to control bedwetting include:
- constipation
- infection in the kidney or bladder
- drinking too much fluid or too many drinks with caffeine or alcohol
- some medicines and illegal drugs
- allergies.
Depending on the cause, treatment options may include:
- managing constipation
- treating the bladder infection
- medicines to boost how much urine (wee) the bladder can hold, or to reduce how much urine (wee) is made through the night
- managing your fluid intake
- training to control how well the bladder stores and empties urine (wee)
- a bedwetting alarm that sounds when leaking starts
- continence products to protect bedding and skin.
Tips to manage and improve incontinence
Build your confidence
Feeling good about yourself makes it easier to manage incontinence (leakage). The way you talk to yourself matters – being kind and recognising your strengths can help you feel more positive. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. You deserve to feel confident and supported.
For tips on building confidence and self-esteem, check out resources from ReachOut.
Prepare before you go out
Enjoy time with friends and do the things you love. Being prepared can help you feel relaxed and confident. When you go out, pack pads or continence products, spare underwear and pants, and a bag for wet clothes.
Zip lock bags are useful as they lock away any odour (smell).
If leakage happens, clean up, change clothes and keep enjoying your day.
Find ways to deal with bullying
Sometimes people don’t understand that incontinence (leakage) is a medical condition. If someone teases you, that’s bullying and it’s not okay. Talk to a trusted adult or friend or get in touch with one of the helplines:
ReachOut has some great tips for dealing with bullying.
Kidsline has resources for teens aged 13 to 17 and young adults aged 18 to 25.
Headspace has resources on bullying and where to find support.
Stay active
Exercise is great for your health and wellbeing. Go to the toilet before you start, drink plenty of water, and speak to a nurse continence specialist, pelvic health physiotherapist or GP (doctor) if you need help managing leakage during sport or activity.
Get dating and relationships advice
It’s normal to feel nervous about dating if you experience incontinence (leakage). If you feel ready, talking openly with someone you trust can help you feel more comfortable. You deserve relationships that make you feel safe, respected and valued.
Visit the ReachOut website for more great advice on healthy relationships, dating and intimacy.
Where to find support
If you’re experiencing incontinence (bladder or bowel leakage) talking to a nurse continence specialist, pelvic health physiotherapist or GP (doctor) is a great first step.
These issues are more common than you might think, and with the right advice and treatment, they can often be managed or cured. You’re not alone, and support is available to help you feel confident and in control.
You can also call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 for support. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm AEDT/AEST.
What you can do next
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This content has been reviewed by subject matter experts in line with Continence Health Australia’s established process. Read about our clinical content review protocol.