My incontinance is not quit as bad as yours, but it is very annoying! I used to take meds to help, but when my mom (a nurse) said they stretch the bladder it scared me. When I get the urge it comes on suddenly and powerfully. If I don't immediately stop what I am doing and go, then my bladder will uncontrolablly release itself. BIG PROBLEM!!! I HATE the thought of wearing a pad! I know my mom and grandma did but me? Once I was introduced to tampons there was no turning back. I am close to taking my chances with the meds. Even if urine sitting in the bladder causes infection. Is there no winning?

Thanks racoonch for your response. I just really am so tired of this crap if it's not one thing it's another. There really is no winning. This aging thing is for the birds.

Hi girls,
I been doing some research and asked a lot about this, I haven't had incontinence but the same as raccoonch extreme urge but can still hold.
I spoke to a physiotherapist and she mentioned the kengel balls (Chinese balls), people think they are for sexual purpose but it is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the pelvic walls and prevent incontinence. They are actually Japanese. I'm going to find out next week where to buy them and I think I'm going to give them a try but I don't have clear one thing, in some places it says its better to get the ones with a small ball inside and most of the ones in the chemists don't have it they just have different weights. They say it is better because your muscles respond to the vibration of the small ball inside and contract. Any one tried?

I wear a bad every day.. :( mostly for Incontinence, but, then again for that unexpected period.. which I got again this week after four months.. Gotta start all over again waiting for that year mark of no periods.. Sorry for being so blunt and gross but this is reality. :( Feel better all!

There is a surgical procedure they can do to fix this problem. My friend, who is very fit, couldn't run because of her bladder sensation all the time. It is a day surgery and she said she had no pain and it is now completely normal. Worth checking into! I think it's called a "T" procedure and it is like a bladder neck suspension.

I would rather try the balls before the surgery i have had enough surgery in that area.

I hear you Fallingsoldier. Of course you should try to fix it nonsurgically and I wish you success. I just wanted to raise awareness that it isn't something we have to live with. My MIL wore pads for 20 years and then had the surgery which gave her back her freedom. (She was 77 when she had it done) Good luck.

Thanks every one for all your posts. Still having minor issues but have not had any accidents so thinking that's a good sign,. Vicki.

I went into menopause at age 50. Im through the worst thank God but their is urge incontinence and stress incontinence. One of them is where you cough or sneeze and you leak urine. My sister has it. I dont have that kind of incontinence. It's like I can hold it but then when I have to go I have to hurry up and get to the bathroom and almost cant hold it til I get my pants down. Your primary might be able to prescribe a medication for that. It's and unfortunate thing that seem to happen in menopause.

Thanks suqabooq for the information. You know i have not even mentioned this to my doctor it really only happened once where it was severe as in rolling down my leg do you think that is worth mentioning when it only happened once? Vicki.

Hi All, I've been dreading the big M but apart from irregular periods and hot flushes and itchy skin occasionally, thankfully its not been so debilitating. For the last couple of years I was starting to feel the urge to urinate more frequently but I managed to get over that and thought I would share that experience here.A good friend who lost a lot of weight introduced me to kegel exercises, which TBH.its not much fun trying to do on your own, never knowing if you're doing the right thing...when, why, how? We came across this kegel exerciser with biofeedback @ finessekegelvibe , which we both purchased about 3 months ago, and we've experienced a positive outcome. I definitely have more control and feel the urge to pee less, and am up to level 2 now so my pelvic floor muscles have definitely strengthened. The recommended usage is 3x a day...so far I'm managing 2, but now that I'm seeing some results I will def push for 3x. The best thing about it is the dual feedback, I hardly have to think about it now, just "follow the prompts" as they say!

Thank God I don't have incontinence yet! my mother has it. It's Holy Hell for her. She's been offered surgery and pills but she refuses them. She has to try and keep dry all day long!

I told her about Kegal exercises and she said they didn't work. I suppose it was too late. I am doing them myself when I think of it. I also am feeling the urge to urinate more frequently which made me think of diabetes but I barely go to the bathroom. It's just like a pressure to go but no urine comes out. What else is next?

It's called stress incontinence, when you laugh, cough, or sneeze it can happen. It is common in menopause. Sucks.