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Original poster

I smell (urine incontinence)

69 replies

EmbarrassingThing · 27/12/2018 18:51

I'm 32 and pee a lot.

Obviously I change my underwear daily but by the night (and usually earlier) they are soaked through to my outerwear

I can't wear pos a few nights in a row

My urine is very strong too and I can smell it

I'm sick of it.
GP is useless. Just tell me to do kegals.

Youngest is 6 so not a recent problem.

It's very embarrassing

Anyone else found something that helps?

Also I've been ill recently so been coughing a lot and I pee a bit with every cough :(

OP posts:
mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 18:55

Do you wear pads? I find tena lights work well. I change them as needed. I also carry a wash cloth in a small wet bag and wipe myself with that a few times a day.

Could you afford to go to a private women's health physio? Made a huge difference to me.

And change GP. Ask for a referral to urogynaecology or urodynamics.

Isitmybathtimeyet · 27/12/2018 18:55

You poor thing. You have a useless GP. Go back to them, or a different one if you can, and demand a referral to a gynaephysiotherapist, as a first measure. This does not need to be happening, and there are a range of things that can help, but kegels alone will not sort it out.

ChristmasRaven · 27/12/2018 18:57

I'd be interested to see if you get any responses/advice. I should NC for this but can't be bothered! I'm ok during the day, but at night if I cough in my sleep (which seems to happen a fair bit lately) I also have bladder problems. It's really getting me down. So I know exactly what you mean. It's lucky I'm not looking for a partner right now because I'd be way too embarrassed to share a bed. Mine also smells really strong. I hope someone comes along with some good advice!

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mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 18:57

Also make sure you practice good bladder health: 2-3 litres of plain water, avoid caffeine and fizzy drinks and all acidic drinks such as fruit juice and squash.

EggysMom · 27/12/2018 18:59

it doesn't smell as strongly as you think (unless your best friend has pointed it out to you!).

No, I haven't found anything that helps. I hate getting a cough or sneezy cold for this reason. When it's really bad, I'll wear pads. Less bad, and I just change my clothes more frequently.

Jackshouse · 27/12/2018 19:00

You can also be referred to the incontenance nurse too. But def ask for a referral to a specialist physio too.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 27/12/2018 19:00

I went to a woman's physio, and she gave me excercises and questionnaires/info that I hadn't seen online. I was able to claim it back through Paycare (limited health cover). I think it was about £200 in total, 3 appointments. I think the GP might have referred me, in the end, but was reluctant to. I am much better now, but I must keep doing the excercises daily. If you can possibly do it, its worth it.

Original poster
EmbarrassingThing · 27/12/2018 19:02

I never thought of pads. I guess I find them a pain. Could I buy normal light period ones?

The flannel is a good idea. Baby wipes maybe?

OP posts:
Bringbackthestrioes · 27/12/2018 19:12

The pads are seemingly different.

“The main difference between the two pads is the type of fluid they're meant to absorb. Menstrual pads are designed to absorb menstrual flow, which comes out much slower than urine. Bladder control pads, on the other hand, are designed to absorb the rapid dispersion of urine.”

I’m sure the pads are a pain but I suppose changing pads a few times a day compared to having outer clothes soaked with, and smelling of, urine must be the better option. Are you bothered about buying them? I have patients that say they are available through the post and come in a plain brown parcel if that’s an issue. Pads aren’t ever totally comfortable I suppose but having wet clothes can’t be very comfortable either. Is there a more sympathetic dr at the practice you could speak to?

Angie169 · 27/12/2018 19:16

I know how you feel , I have suffered from weak bladder muscles all my life . My GP blamed it on having kids and my age , I was 20 when I went and have not had any kids !
The only thing I would recommend is don't try to limit the water you drink to stop you peeing, as this dehydrated you and as a consequence your body test to store water , making your pee stronger.
Any amount of weights, electrodes, herbal
Stuff as not worked for me but it may for others.
Regarding San pro , Always sensitive bladder pads are the best imo. Tena are ok .
Buy them from home bargains/ quality save, as they are about £2ish but boots etc are about £4 unless they gave a deal on grab as many as you can afford when you see them as it's hit and miss when they stock them

Alwaysonholiday · 27/12/2018 19:19

Ask to be referred, you should not have to put up with this.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/surgery/

gamerchick · 27/12/2018 19:20

I guess I find them a pain

Having to change and smelling isn't a pain? Confused get some proper incontinent pads and go back to your doctor and asked to be referred, don't be fobbed off.

mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 19:24

I find the small tena lights much better than sanitary pads (which I hate). They contain smell better without the awful faux floral crap. Baby wipes would work but give me thrush so I can't use them!

Dowser · 27/12/2018 19:25

Yes if you’re not drinking enough...it’s going to smell a lot more.

You can drink some bicarbonate of soda in the water...it will neutralise the acidity and the smell
Definitely wear a pad to save your blushes..
Pot cit...available in boots is another thing to consider.
Some people take dmannose but it really only works against an ecoli infection

Definitely,, definitely drink..you sound like you could be very dehydrated
That will be making your bladder sore.

mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 19:29

I find always too bulky and better suited to large leaks. I tend to have more of a tiny tiny constant drip and the odd squirt if i cough or run.

My problem was almost completely solved by my amazing physio and only got worse with a chest infection during pregnancy. Now I can't get it back under control and probably won't until I have the baby.

mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 19:30

And is it urge or stress incontinence? Medication can help.

Haworthia · 27/12/2018 19:31

This is not normal and you need to be referred to a woman’s health physio and/or gynaecologist.

octoberbaby2010 · 27/12/2018 19:36

Dower how does that work? If you drink less you smell stronger? Xx

mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 19:43

octoberbaby2010 the less you drink, the more concentrated your urine is. Urine is mainly water and salts, the amount if salts doesn't change by how much you drink (as they come from metabolic processes) but the amount of water does.

With incontinence if you drink less you don't leak less, you leak the same, if not more as your bladder gets used to less and less fluid in it before being emptied and this causes irritation. If you have concentrated urine your wee smells worse, and aggregates the bladder more too.

AnyFucker · 27/12/2018 20:38

You regularly soak urine through your clothes and it had never occurred to you to use a pad ?

Give over

mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 20:44

AnyFucker took me ages to wear pads. I even came on here. I kinda of wanted to be told it was normal, I didn't need pads, no one would see or smell it. Deep down I knew it wasn't the case, but I desperately wanted to be normal. Pads to me were defeat, acknowledgement something was wrong. The reality is they are liberating!

IWannaBeYourFordCortina · 27/12/2018 20:45

Have you looked into Hypropressive classes?

Hoppinggreen · 27/12/2018 20:46

I use Tena lights, much better than smelling of wee and not being able to wear the same trousers 2 days in a row
Don’t feel in the slightest bit ashamed or abnormal

madmum5811 · 27/12/2018 20:49

Had an awful chest infection. Had to buy tena lady in the end. Would not hesitate to buy them again if necessary.

HuckfromScandal · 27/12/2018 20:54

It’s the thing that we woman do not talk about.
As a runner, I use pads all the time.
I have the innovo machine. O for it here as a trial, it’s expensive, but it really worked, the problem is way way way better now. But I still always wear a pad, coz sometimes it is still a problem.

Pads are a lifesaver
Please use them.

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