At your age this isn't very common.  I would recommend that you aee your doctor.  It is something that happens to women after having a baby.  It sounds like you have weak "pelvic floor muscles" .  If it is the simple issue that your muscles are just weak you need to do kegal exercises.  The pelvic floor muscles are the ones that when you squeeze it stops the flow of urine.

To learn how to do it next time you are peeing on the toilet try to stop the flow of pee.  At first it will probably slow down, but you won't be able to stop it completely.  now that you've learned how to exercise your pelvic floor muscles you can do it anywhere.  While watching tv, in school , whenever, it doesn't matter.  Squeeze them for as long as you can then release, do this 10 times.  You should do at least 10-12 sets of 10 each day and work on being able to hold them for longer periods of time. 

It will take a little time, but this will strengthen your muscles and you will stop having this problem.

In the mean time yes, wear a pad to catch the urine until you get some control back.

Good Luck!

help?

9/27/09 2:12pm

thankyou very much, just the kind of advice i was looking for, very helpful :)

Tasha Mulligan MPT

10/23/09 5:20pm

You would be amazed at how many young women experience the same symptoms as you.  Studies have shown a significant number of young women, teenage and early 20's, report accidental urine leakage with prolonged laughing, prolonged coughing, or activities such as jumping rope.

 

Quick contractions of your sphincter muscles, otherwise known as a Kegel exercise, are really important for the cough or sneeze.  But for prolonged laughing, it is important to work the endurance of the deeper layers of your pelvic floor muscles.  These muscles actually elevate your pelvic floor, tightening around the pathway from your bladder to your urethra.  To work these muscles, picture a string attached from your belly button down to your pelvic floor and you want to attempt to draw your pelvic floor up into your pelvic outlet.  Keep pulling your muscles up toward your belly button for a full 8 count (this is hard to do) and then completely relax.

 

I would recommend only 10 repetitions of these longer holds per day.

 

Best of luck,

 

Tasha Mulligan MPT

Hello, Firstly as the other answers rightly said, go see a doctor. At the age of 16 it is uncommon but not unheard of. What you are describing is medically known as Genuine Stress Incontinence.

The first thing that springs to mind is what is the root cause? Have you ever had a fall where you have hurt your back (spine), neck or head? Have you had prior surgery in the abdominal area where they needed to cut through the pelvic area? These could be contributing to the weakness. You need to understand how the body works to be able to correct some of the things that need attention. Its easy for people to say "do your pelvic floor exercises (kegal exercises) and that will put it right" But knowing how to do them correctly and continuously doing them is the key. I would suggest you see a physiotherapist or continence nurse as they are able to show you how to identify the correct  pelvic floor muscles. (you can find more information on my blog http://pelvicfloor.wordpress.com )

If you are using tampons I would suggest Incostress. It a medical device used in clinics and hospitals in the UK, Canada and several other European countries. It is made from medical grade silicone and works by supporting the urethra (the tube which allows urine out of the body from the urethra) it also supports the bladder neck and gently allows you to exercise the pelvic floor naturally.

If you are not used to tampons then do not use this. Speak to your doctor and get him to see the information on www.incostress.com