Reasons for Incontinence in Teenagers

While incontinence is more common in young children and older adults, it can happen to anyone including teenagers. Discussing the problem can be embarrassing, but your doctor can offer treatment options.

Infections

• A urinary tract infection can created inflammation and irritation in the bladder, which will lead to sudden strong urges to urinate. This can cause incontinence if a teenager cannot reach a bathroom in time.

Behavior

• If a teenager regularly ignores the need to urinate in order to avoid taking a break from an activity he enjoys, like playing video games, he might not be able to recognize signals that his bladder is full, leading to urine leakage.

Physical Problems

• A growth within the urinary tract can cause incontinence. Uncontrolled diabetes can also trigger bladder leakage.

Treatments

• If an infection is causing incontinence, antibiotics can clear it. Behavioral causes can be managed with behavior modification therapy. Removing a growth from the urinary tract or bringing a teenager's diabetes under control can also resolve incontinence.

Considerations

• Most children achieve bladder control by age four or five and maintain it through their teenage years and adulthood. Incontinence in teenagers should not be ignored because it could indicate a serious physical problem.