Pee & Urine Issues - Pain, Bed-Wetting, Amount & Frequency / Question
Published: May 9, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a girl age 12 and I wonder if I have got incontinence. About two weeks ago in the subway home I had to wee. After a while I couldn't hold it anymore and I weed in my pants. It has NEVER NEVER happened before (except when I was a baby of course). I had to really badly on the subway (and a little before) but other times when I had to go I always managed to hold it until I got home, When you are 12 you should be able to hold it until you get home or find another bathroom even if you really have to go bad right? None of my friends have ever wet their pants and I have only seen little kids do it and maybe they will tease me if they found out I did. I know incontinence is when you can't hold it, so I was wondering if that is what I got. How can I cure it? Could incontinence come back if you cure it or do you have it all the time? I have never had any problems before and I have no problems to hold it now, but I am scarred it could happen again. I don't want to go to a doctor and I don't want to tell my mom (I don't want her to know I wet my pants).
Signed: Incontinence In 12 Year Old Girl
Dear Incontinence In 12 Year Old Girl,
What you experienced is commonly referred to as an "accident." No matter how old you are, if your bladder is ready to let go of some fluid, it is going to happen, whether you are ready or not. It also does not help to have a full bladder and being tossed around on the subway.
The fact that you were able to hold it for so long before you had the accident indicates you have bladder control and are not incontinent. You could probably avoid future embarrassments by making sure you relieve yourself before you go on a trip where you will not have easy access to a restroom. You may remember your mom telling everybody to hit the bathroom before you went on a long journey in the car. Now you know she really was not just being a pain.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens with untreated depression are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, leading to higher rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
