Urinary Incontinence In Children And Teenagers: What Are The Causes, Solutions, and When to Seek Help?

PhysioMatters
Oct 24
2 min read

Urinary incontinence, also described as an accidental leakage of urine, is often thought of as an adult or elderly issue. In recent years, research has shown that this can affect children and teenagers as well, with 1 in 10 having experienced daytime wetting (Nieuwhof-Leppink et al., 2019).

For mums, this can be a stressful and confusing issue. Understanding the causes, solutions, and when to seek help can make a big difference.

Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence in Children and Teens

Bladder maturity and function

One of the most frequent causes is delayed bladder maturation, where the bladder muscles and nerves are not yet fully coordinated, leading to urgency and accidents. Overactive bladder, characterised by sudden strong urges to urinate, is another key factor and may affect up to 20% of children (Austin et al., 2016).

Constipation and toileting habits

A full bowel can press on the bladder, reducing its capacity and causing leakage. Additionally, behavioural factors such as postponing toilet breaks, can lead to dysfunctional voiding patterns.

Emotional factors

Emotional and psychological factors are strongly linked to urinary incontinence. A large cohort study found children with daytime wetting had higher rates of emotional and behavioural problems as compared to peers (Joinson et al., 2016).

Anxiety and stress can trigger bladder overactivity, while incontinence itself may worsen self-esteem, reinforcing a negative cycle.

Solutions and Evidence-Based Approaches

The good news is, many children and teenagers do outgrow urinary incontinence, with proper treatment.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Studies have shown that pelvic floor muscle training, combined with bladder retraining, can significantly improve continence in children and adolescents (Hoebeke et al., 2010)

At PhysioMatters, our Pelvic Health Physiotherapists use age-appropriate strategies to help kids and teens learn awareness as well as control of their pelvic floor muscles. Our Physiotherapists may also use a real time ultrasound machine for biofeedback, which helps children visualise their pelvic floor muscles and learn better coordination.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Other simple but effective strategies include limiting bladder irritants such as sodas, scheduling regular bathroom breaks, and maintaining adequate fluid intake. In addition, adopting healthy toileting routines and balanced dietary habits can further support pelvic floor health.

When Should You Seek Help?

You should consider consulting a healthcare professional if:

Your child is 7 years or older and still experiences regular daytime accidents.
There is a sudden onset of incontinence after being dry for months.
Your child has constipation, recurrent urinary tract infections, or pain when urinating.
Bedwetting persists into the teenage years and is affecting confidence, sleep, or school life.

With the right support, urinary incontinence can be improved.

If your child or teenager is experiencing urinary leakage, do book a consultation with our Pelvic Health Physiotherapists.