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Incontinence (Urinary) (Expert Forum)
Newly Irregular Urination
Answered by
David A Burks, MD - Interstitial Cystitis, Urology
Henry Ford Health Systems
Detroit - MI
Questions in the Urinary Incontinence forum are answered by Dr. David A. Burks, MD from Henry Ford Health Systems.
Newly Irregular Urination
by appletree00, Sep 10, 2009 01:08AM
I'm an eighteen-year-old female.
I have had a few UTIs, which I assume to be related to intercourse, but, apart from that, have had no previous problems with my bladder. The last UTI I experienced happened about a month ago, and I am no longer experiencing symptoms.
Recently, I moved away from home to go to college. Since I am living on campus, I share a bathroom with my entire floor, a bathroom that I find to be quite far in proximity as far as bathrooms go.
I have found that for some reason that's seemingly unapparent, I've been needing to go to the bathroom at much more frequent intervals throughout the day. The urges are not accompanied with some of the symptoms I've experienced with UTIs, like pain or having the urge to go but nothing to expel.
I know that holding in your urine is bad for you, but I find myself having to hold it, at least for a few minutes while I can get myself dressed to use the bathroom on my floor. Although I've always found my Kegel muscles to be strong, I seem to have lost control over my bladder. On a few occasions, I've completely lost control and have gone before I've gotten to the washroom.
I cannot figure out what has caused this problem. I haven't recently changed my diet or increased my intake of fluids. I haven't had a UTI in a month.
What do you think may have caused this problem, and what can I do to fix it?
I have had a few UTIs, which I assume to be related to intercourse, but, apart from that, have had no previous problems with my bladder. The last UTI I experienced happened about a month ago, and I am no longer experiencing symptoms.
Recently, I moved away from home to go to college. Since I am living on campus, I share a bathroom with my entire floor, a bathroom that I find to be quite far in proximity as far as bathrooms go.
I have found that for some reason that's seemingly unapparent, I've been needing to go to the bathroom at much more frequent intervals throughout the day. The urges are not accompanied with some of the symptoms I've experienced with UTIs, like pain or having the urge to go but nothing to expel.
I know that holding in your urine is bad for you, but I find myself having to hold it, at least for a few minutes while I can get myself dressed to use the bathroom on my floor. Although I've always found my Kegel muscles to be strong, I seem to have lost control over my bladder. On a few occasions, I've completely lost control and have gone before I've gotten to the washroom.
I cannot figure out what has caused this problem. I haven't recently changed my diet or increased my intake of fluids. I haven't had a UTI in a month.
What do you think may have caused this problem, and what can I do to fix it?
Doctor's Answer
by David A Burks, MD, Oct 10, 2009 09:34AM
, Oct 10, 2009 09:34AMTo: appletree00
Hi,
You sound like you have the symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is driven by urgency to void. You need to have your urine checked to make sure you don't have an infection dispite your lack of the usual symptoms. Beverages like coffee, tea and energy drinks that are loaded with caffeine, typically consumed by students to stay awake, promote urgency. The caffeine is a stimulant that is cleared by your kindeys, excreted in the urine and promotes bladder urgency. Step 1 is to elinimate or minimize the caffeine beverages. Step 2 is to avoid situations where you are forced to delay voiding, always sit to void (don't squat) and void electively to prevent urgency if it's been more than 2 hrs since the last void. If your urine culture shows no infection, and the above intake and behavioral changes don't work you will need to see your prinary care doctor for an evaluation to rule our an underlying problem like diabetes or a neurologic problem causing your symptoms, then treat you for OAB with a medication that should relieve your symptoms. 5% of people under 25 have OAB. Good Luck.
You sound like you have the symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is driven by urgency to void. You need to have your urine checked to make sure you don't have an infection dispite your lack of the usual symptoms. Beverages like coffee, tea and energy drinks that are loaded with caffeine, typically consumed by students to stay awake, promote urgency. The caffeine is a stimulant that is cleared by your kindeys, excreted in the urine and promotes bladder urgency. Step 1 is to elinimate or minimize the caffeine beverages. Step 2 is to avoid situations where you are forced to delay voiding, always sit to void (don't squat) and void electively to prevent urgency if it's been more than 2 hrs since the last void. If your urine culture shows no infection, and the above intake and behavioral changes don't work you will need to see your prinary care doctor for an evaluation to rule our an underlying problem like diabetes or a neurologic problem causing your symptoms, then treat you for OAB with a medication that should relieve your symptoms. 5% of people under 25 have OAB. Good Luck.
