Incontinence in teenagers and young adults
20,000 - 60,000 Australian teenagers experience some form of incontinence. These figures include teenagers that experience urinary incontinence (daytime wetting, bedwetting), faecal incontinence (soiling) or a combination of these issues.
Bedwetting
It is common for teenagers and young adults who wet the bed to have experienced isues since childhood. Some may have had help for their bedwetting as a child. Others may not have contacted anyone for support or advise They believe their bedwetting will get better with time. They may also think bedwetting cannot be helped. Some young people with bedwetting also have daytime bladder problems. They may:
- pass urine more often than normal
- feel the need to go more urgently than normal
- leak urine as they hurry to the toilet (also called urge incontinence).
The reasons for bedwetting among teenagers and young adults are the same reasons for bedwetting among children. In most cases teenagers haven't developed the appropriate brain control linked to bladder function at night. It is unlikely to be the result of a medical problem with their kidneys or bladder, but they should be checked by a doctor or specialist if this has not already been done.
It is unusual for a young adult with bedwetting to have reached teen years without having had some form of bedwetting therapy. It is worth revisiting methods/therapies tried previously.
Daytime wetting
Daytime wetting is any bladder (wee) leakage that happens when awake
Daytime wetting (diurnal enuresis) is a common condition and can be caused by several things including pelvic floor muscle problems and an overactive bladder.
Soiling
Soiling is any bowel (poo) leakage
About 1 in 20 Australians experience faecal incontinence, including thousands of young people. Causes of soiling include constipation, pelvic floor problems and underlying medical conditions.
Seek help
In many cases incontinence can be prevented, better managed and even cured. Talk to your doctor or contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 for free and confidential advice and support.