How to Fix Young Adult and Teenage Incontinence
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to a range of issues that occur when the pelvic floor muscles do not function properly.
Anyone who’s seen an adult diaper commercial can tell that incontinence products are marketed to older people. So it might be a surprise to learn that young adult and teenage incontinence is a real problem. And although it’s true that incontinence is more prevalent in women 65 and older (1 out of 2 women 65+ experience stress urinary incontinence), a surprising number of young adults grapple with bladder leaks.
How common is young adult and teenage incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is any involuntary bladder leak. Types of incontinence include:
- Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): those little “oops” moments when you sneeze, cough, or laugh; also can occur during exercise.
- Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI): when you can’t make it to the bathroom on time, including wetting the bed at night.
- Mixed Incontinence (MI): when you experience a combination of SUI and UUI.
Some women with infrequent bladder leaks might be tempted to ignore them and accept the inconvenience, but any amount of uncontrolled urination is incontinence. And if not treated now, incontinence worsens as you age.
Australian researchers surveyed more than 1,000 young women ages 16–30 across eight medical clinics and three college campuses. All the participants in this study were healthy, and none had experienced pregnancy. Researchers found that almost 13% of participants reported some type of urinary incontinence: 6% had SUI, 4.5 % reported UUI, and 2% reported MI.
“This will change your life for the better. I no longer have to stress about my incontinence, and I stopped wearing pads and liners completely. My first thought out isn’t where the bathrooms are. I have my liberty back.“
Gabrielle, NY, Age 21
What causes young adult and teenage incontinence?
SUI is the most prevalent type of incontinence in women. A healthy pelvic floor is key to maintaining a leak-free bladder. Your pelvic floor consists of layered muscles that create a hammock-type support for your bladder and other pelvic organs. When these muscles are stretched out or damaged, the bladder is not strong enough to function properly, resulting in incontinence.
Childbirth and advanced age are leading contributors to urinary incontinence. However, in young women who haven’t been pregnant, exercise is the primary cause of teenage incontinence. High-impact sports, such as running, CrossFit, or jumping rope, can traumatize your pelvic floor. The increased pressure of lifting heavy weights or doing intense moves, such as repeated burpees and weighted squats, can damage your pelvic floor muscles. And when your pelvic floor cannot support the bladder adequately, the mechanisms for retaining and releasing urine are compromised, resulting in incontinence.
Are there other proven treatments?
When incontinence is so severe that it’s impacting your everyday activities, it’s time to engage your healthcare provider to look at the many treatment options.
Most physicians will advise you to start with Kegels. But knowing how to contract your pelvic muscles can be tricky, so there are a multitude of devices to help. But not all Kegel exercisers are created equally.
- Kegel trainers help identify your pelvic floor muscles. These devices need to be inserted vaginally and only give you feedback about your Kegels.
- Kegel exercisers actually do your Kegels for you, but some are still invasive because of the vaginal insertion.
- Elitone is completely noninvasive. This FDA-cleared external stimulation device does your Kegels for you without any insertion.
For example, 18-year-old Maddie was experiencing teenage incontinence. Sports were her life, but she slowly began limiting her workouts because bladder leaks kept her bound to the nearest bathroom. After a while, Maddie wasn’t able to exercise at all because her incontinence was so serious. When she asked her physician for help, he suggested an invasive, vaginally inserted instrument to help strengthen her pelvic floor muscles. But as a college student with two roommates, she couldn’t use the device in private. And with a full schedule of classes, she was too busy to schedule multiple times a week to focus on her Kegels. Maddie needed another solution, which is how she found Elitone.
What is Elitone?
Elitone is a noninvasive device that you wear under your clothes (like a maxi pad). This discreet exerciser contracts your pelvic muscles consistently during each session, and nothing is inserted “down there.” Elitone does 100 contractions longer and stronger than you can do on your own, and each session is only 20 minutes. You can wear Elitone while doing your daily activities and no one will know. Women who used Elitone four times a week reduced their pad usage by 85% in just 6 weeks. And because nothing is ever inserted vaginally, sessions are easier to plan, plus there’s less chance of infection.
Teenage incontinence and incontinence in young women is not an easy topic to discuss. However talking to your doctor about your symptoms and educating yourself about pelvic floor health can go a long way to eliminating leaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step I should take if I’m experiencing incontinence?
The first step is to consult a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor health. They can accurately diagnose the type of cause of your incontinence and recommend the most effective treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes, exercises, or other therapies.
Can dietary changes help with bladder control?
Yes, certain dietary habits can affect bladder function. Avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine, carbonated drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic fruits can help reduce symptoms of incontinence. Staying well-hydrated is also important, as highly concentrated urine can irritate the bladder.
Is incontinence a common issue for young people, and how can it affect my daily life?
While it may not be widely discussed, studies show that incontinence is more common in young adults and teens than many people realize. It can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, leading to anxiety, embarrassment, and reluctance to participate in social activities, sports, or other physical pursuits. Finding the right treatment and support is crucial for managing these challenges.
How does the Elitone device compare to using pads or other absorbent products?
Eitone is a treatment for the root cause of incontinence, which is a weak pelvic floor, while pads and absorbent products are only a way to manage the symptoms. Elitone strengthens the pelvic floor muscles over time through external muscle stimulation. aiming to restore bladder control and reduce or eliminate leaks, which is a long-term solution.
Are there specific exercises or habits to prevent incontinence from developing?
Maintaining strong pelvic floor muscles is key to prevention. Regular Kegel exercises can help, but it’s important to perform them correctly. You can also prevent damage by avoiding “bearing down” or straining during bowel movements. For athletes, focusing on proper form and incorporating core and pelvic floor strengthening exercises into their routine can also be highly beneficial.
