Having trouble controlling waterworks!!

[Lotus266012]

Hi I am 28 yrs old. This is an issue I have some difficulty explaining, but I find it hard to know when to urinate and when I do need to go it's sometimes resulted in little dribbles that I can't hold back. I don't do kegel exercises but I do tone my abdominal muscles with other workouts. It's hard to explain, but I guess it's as if my brain is ignoring my bladder filling up and it's not getting that message. I've had occasions when I was younger, between 7 and 15 when I've soaked my clothes through and it's been really upsetting.

I had a urine test done recently and that came back clear. Should this be something I should be worried about? What could be causing it?

Thank you

[Lotus266012]

Hi there, thanks for your help!

I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that's attacking my thyroid as a blood test I had done in February has come back saying I have elevated thyroid autoantibodies. Would this be causing it?

I've also lessened my caffeine intake and drank more water but this doesn't seem to have helped much.

Thanks

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. With GU infectious ruled out, possibilities that may need to be considered include stress/ anxiety, neuro-muscular causes, excessive fluid intake, hormonal/ endocrine imbalance, medication side effect etc. I would suggest getting this evaluated by an internist or a urologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!