16 and incontinent

I am a 16 year old girl and I have 'giggle incontinence' and in case you don't know what it is, it's basically wetting yourself during laughter. I've had this condition since I was about 8 years old, I've been to the doctor about it 2 years ago and she didn't even know what was wrong with me; she only done a medical history, urine sample and asked if I had sex which I hadn't and still haven't. Its only last year that I done some research and found that my embarrassing problem is giggle incontinence and doesn't have a cure. My problem has made me a very shy and withdrawn person; it doesn't help that all my family do is laugh at me. I hardly have a social life and I can't leave the house without wearing incontinence pads made for old people. The thing is that I wet myself if I truly find something funny sometimes without even laughing. Because of this, I know that I have no choice but to be celibate for life as no boy would ever want to go out with a teenage girl who can't control her own bladder (when laughing that is, other times I'm ok).

I know people will probably laugh at me, it's ok, I'm used to it but you have no idea how horrible, if not life threatening, my condition is.

Reply 1

jack252

try to use the toilet before going out? or making regular stops for a loo break? would it make it less frequent?

Reply 2

anna_spanner89

you don't have to be celibete, im sure theres a vast amount of people that have it and lead perfectly normal lives, infact giggle incontince can actually improve or disappear with age, you may find when you hit adulthood it'd get better

Have you also tried to do pelvic floor excercises? have you tried seeing a urology specialist aswell?

Reply 3

Bismarck

13

Anonymous

I am a 16 year old girl and I have 'giggle incontinence' and in case you don't know what it is, it's basically wetting yourself during laughter. I've had this condition since I was about 8 years old, I've been to the doctor about it 2 years ago and she didn't even know what was wrong with me; she only done a medical history, urine sample and asked if I had sex which I hadn't and still haven't. Its only last year that I done some research and found that my embarrassing problem is giggle incontinence and doesn't have a cure. My problem has made me a very shy and withdrawn person; it doesn't help that all my family do is laugh at me. I hardly have a social life and I can't leave the house without wearing incontinence pads made for old people. The thing is that I wet myself if I truly find something funny sometimes without even laughing. Because of this, I know that I have no choice but to be celibate for life as no boy would ever want to go out with a teenage girl who can't control her own bladder (when laughing that is, other times I'm ok).

I know people will probably laugh at me, it's ok, I'm used to it but you have no idea how horrible, if not life threatening, my condition is.

Aww, don't be so hard on yourself. Guys aren't that shallow. Some might feel uncomfortable with your condition, but I'm willing to bet that most would be ok. I had a friend who had a major bladder problem, and she never had any trouble picking up guys. It's all about confidence and accepting your condition. I think you being withdrawn will have a far more detrimental affect on your ability to find a guy than your condition. People don't expect perfection from others, and you shouldn't expect it from yourself. Best of luck. :smile:

Reply 4

Kater Murr

20

It sounds quite cute :smile:

.

(Then again, I'm imagining a cartoonish vignette of the moment; it might not be.)

Reply 5

Anonymous #2

happens to me aswell and when i sneeze.
Ive never been docs - im already a medical disaster.

Reply 6

Cotton Carrots

Personally, I would definitely see if I could return to the GP, and if she's still not as helpful, request a urology referral? Even if there's no known cure, as you say, they may be able to suggest things/exercises etc that might help.
Oh, and make sure your GP knows exactly how bad it is, and how much it is affecting your life. I'd be very annoyed if it was that bad, and I had nothing in the form of help/advice from my GP.

PS: I think it's incredibly horrible of anyone to laugh at you for that!

Reply 7

Anonymous #3

*wave*

same here.
sometimes bad coughs, laughter, and sneezing are all things that make me, up, squirt :redface:

it is rather embarrassing.
but when i'm with my boyfriend and it happens, i just make a face midlaughter. and go clean up. he just laughs along with it.

noone else notices aslong as your not gushing and clean up when you can. pantyliners ftw. :/

Reply 8

ukstudent2011

Kater Murr

It sounds quite cute :smile:

.

(Then again, I'm imagining a cartoonish vignette of the moment; it might not be.)

LOL. Me too. I was going to post a joke, but I thought that might be considered bad taste.

Reply 9

Faith In Chaos

1

Anonymous

Because of this, I know that I have no choice but to be celibate for life as no boy would ever want to go out with a teenage girl who can't control her own bladder (when laughing that is, other times I'm ok).

I don't think that's true at all. Not all males are so narrow minded :smile:

Yes, it is going to cause some awkward situations in the future, and you say there is no cure, so your best bet is to accept this and work on your confidence so you will be well equipped to deal with said situations.

Like you say, it isn't life threatening, but obviously it is going to get you down from time to time. Focus on positive things, try and raise your confidence and build your life around the problem, accomdating and accepting it as a art of who you are.

Reply 10

Anonymous #3

as someone said earlier (which i missed) pelvic floor exercises. go look at them OP.
they're not a cure - but apparently work miracles on controlling them.

and, when you go for a wee, try to stop for 10 seconds, then start, stop 10 secs. etc.
builds control. :cool:

Reply 11

Dirac Delta Function

14

Anonymous

I am a 16 year old girl and I have 'giggle incontinence' and in case you don't know what it is, it's basically wetting yourself during laughter. I've had this condition since I was about 8 years old, I've been to the doctor about it 2 years ago and she didn't even know what was wrong with me; she only done a medical history, urine sample and asked if I had sex which I hadn't and still haven't. Its only last year that I done some research and found that my embarrassing problem is giggle incontinence and doesn't have a cure. My problem has made me a very shy and withdrawn person; it doesn't help that all my family do is laugh at me. I hardly have a social life and I can't leave the house without wearing incontinence pads made for old people. The thing is that I wet myself if I truly find something funny sometimes without even laughing. Because of this, I know that I have no choice but to be celibate for life as no boy would ever want to go out with a teenage girl who can't control her own bladder (when laughing that is, other times I'm ok).

I know people will probably laugh at me, it's ok, I'm used to it but you have no idea how horrible, if not life threatening, my condition is.

You don't need to be celibate. Lots of people have stuff that they don't talk about. Your condition isn't so bad, or at least, I wouldn't be put off from having a relationship with a girl who had that.

Reply 12

misswilliams

16

Hmm maybe go back to your doctor, another one and ask to see a specialist?

If it is affecting you to the degree you have stated then you need to get it sorted, you sound as if you are missing out on a lot because of this one little problem.

Good luck :smile:

Reply 13

strawberry

13

lol I've done that before, laugh myself til I pee, but I don't do it regularly.
Try emptying your bladder more often?

Reply 14

Scotsman1988

1

NHS Direct

Stress incontinence occurs when your pelvic floor muscles have been weakened, and can no longer keep your urethra fully closed. Any sudden extra pressure on your bladder, such as laughing, or sneezing, can cause urine to leak out of your urethra.

More on urinary incontinence (generally) here

Reply 15

DeSiFiEd

2

You won't remain celibate, in a weird way I think its pretty cute! hah..tis no biggy for me if I met a girl that had that problem, I'll obviously need to buy incontinent pads by the bulkload, cos I'm THAT hilarious (I kid). x :smile:

Reply 16

Custer

1

I think there are some specific exercises you can do that strengthen pelvic muscles and help stop it. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/pdf/exercise_ez.pdf

Do some google searches for "kegel exercises".

Reply 17

Bavarian Motor Works

11

so you actually pmsl (pissing my self laughing) awesome....

On a more serious note, you would find that as you get older it may be more controllable etc

Reply 18

Interchange

14

You could request to see a different GP also :smile:

Reply 19

EskimoJo

18

It sounds like stress incontinence and is much more common than you think. I have it (also when I sneeze, cough etc) although only a little comes out and not all the time.
I find it amazing that your doctor doesn't know what it is! You need to empty your bladder fully as often as possible (I'm always going to the toilet, I just laugh off that I have a bladder the size of a pea and no one cares) and also do pelvic floor exercises (I should take my own advice!) and also, don't take as many baths with bubbles or other fragrancy, fizzy pointless crap as it might be irritating you bladder exit.

Anonymous

and, when you go for a wee, try to stop for 10 seconds, then start, stop 10 secs. etc.
builds control. :cool:

This is what the pelvic floor exercises should feel like, but please god don't do them everytime you wee, you will destroy your bladder with infection! Maximum do this once a week or less often to test if your pelvic floor exercises are working.

16 and incontinent

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