Embarrassing I need help :/

[jessilynn]

Sooooooo I've been on HRT for 16 months, AND! I am PRE-OP.

I've noticed I am getting kinda incontinent here. Like If I cough too hard, or sneeze too hard... I leak. And that happens quite often, I have allergies pretty bad. I didn't notice this last year. As it did just start this year. I DO obviously try to hold it, but try as I might, I leak.

I feel I need to keep an extra pair of panties with me anymore just in case my bladder decides to explode. Does the HRT affect everything THAT much?
I mean it's bad to the point where I sneezed one morning, and I leaked and my parents noticed it sneaking down my night gown.

Does anyone else deal with this problem? If so... is there anything I can do aside from like stopping HRT? (because that is not going to happen.)

[AnneK]

Perhaps you should discuss this with your doctor.

[eyesk8rboi]

Try some Kegel exercises. ....If you can? Not sure how all that works for pos-op MTF apposed to biological females, but I wouldn't assume there's too much of a difference??? 

[Tessa James]

Hey Jessilyn,

I think there could be a connection to HRT and incontinence but have admittedly done little research.  My personal experience and, that of friends I know well, suggests there is.  Clinically incontinence may be "stress", "urge" or mixed incontinence.  I was encouraged by my provider to do those kegel exercises that improve our pelvic floor muscles.

Some of us would also do well to reduce coffee, tea, smoking and our weight.  Some of us may wait longer than advisable to use a public restroom.  For people my age this may just be another part of the lovely senior experience?

I wonder if there is a connection to HRT and reduced feeling and/or thinking about our genitalia?  We would be well served by some actual peer reviewed clinical study of transition and our urologic concerns.

[Kendra]

Does your HRT routine include spironolactone?

[JB_Girl]

Perhaps you should discuss this with your doctor.

I second this notion.  Spiro makes you pee more often, but ought not be a cause of leaking.  Since you're pre-op there has not been any nerve damage.  Sounds like a chat with your GP or a urologist.

Good luck,

[Devlyn]

<waving wildly> ME ME ME ME ME! 

I've been peeing myself regularly since starting spiro, I hate it. Y'all thought I was kidding about the feminine adult diapers! 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Julia1996]

Do you really think hrt is causing it? I've been on hrt with really high doses of spiro but I have never peed myself except once from my stupid brother tickling me too much.  Spiro makes me pee like all the time though. Its totally annoying for sure. If it's like really a problem there are  pads you can get instead of diapers. My grandma uses them. Poise I think is the name. I hope you get better soon.
Hugs
Julia

[justpat]

   Multitasking, I and my partner know it well , sneeze,pee,fart they all seem to go together. Try to keep your bladder emptied more often and when you first get the urge ,we call it the 2 minute warning , go pee.  Patty

[Janes Groove]

I'm thinking it's the spiro. I had that problem(among others) when I was on it too.  I remember a support group where it was brought up and it wasn't that uncommon as you might imagine.

[jessilynn]

Hey Jessilyn,

I think there could be a connection to HRT and incontinence but have admittedly done little research.  My personal experience and, that of friends I know well, suggests there is.  Clinically incontinence may be "stress", "urge" or mixed incontinence.  I was encouraged by my provider to do those kegel exercises that improve our pelvic floor muscles.

Some of us would also do well to reduce coffee, tea, smoking and our weight.  Some of us may wait longer than advisable to use a public restroom.  For people my age this may just be another part of the lovely senior experience?

I wonder if there is a connection to HRT and reduced feeling and/or thinking about our genitalia?  We would be well served by some actual peer reviewed clinical study of transition and our urologic concerns.

My weight is okay... Could it be stress? Because I do work in a very discriminatory environment. And yeah at times, if I try to like step off to use the restroom, I will get yelled at- which yeah I know is illegal, but still... Stress is a major part in my life, it always has been, but I've never been incontinent (well yeah when I was a baby in diapers...)

[jessilynn]

To everyone else, yeah I am on Spironolactone, I just thought that was a normal part of HRT in general

[Tessa James]

Sorry to hear about that discrimination and stress level for you.  Stress turning in to distress seems like negative factor relative to your overall health.  Is the work place one in which you can go to HR and ask for assistance?  Is there a better place to work for you in the near future?

Spironolactone has diuretic properties but I have been off it for over a year and still have to work on incontinence issues. I address that by not waiting till I'm ready to burst a full bladder and by doing my kegel exercises.  I should probably quit coffee too but not today

We can share our personal experiences here but you truly are an individual and maybe a visit with your health care folks is indicated?

[rose]

That why I use androcur it's very effective and don't have the annoying side effect of spiro
Idk why the FDA did not approve it in the USA
I tried them both androcur is very strong anti androgen if not the strongest
True in large doses can cause trouble but you don't need much
I'm taking it since 2009 with no problem at all

[Dena]

I suggest you bring up the topic with your doctor. Bladder infections can cause leakage and not everybody feels the discomfort from them in the same way. The female anatomy is more likely to get infections because of the shorter distance and the location but the male anatomy while less likely can get infections as well. It a simple pee test to verify if you have a problem and if you do, antibiotics will clear it up in a week or two.

[JinnieY]

That must be very uncomfortable for you :S! I would also recommend you to see a doctor. If it's a true stress incontinence, so far there are no FDA approved pharmacological treatment for it. However, an anti-depressant duloxetine has been used as off-label use to treat women who suffer from stress incontinence.  The drawback of using this agent is the side effects associated with it. Patients taking duloxetine may experience weight gain and sexual dysfunction. It's important to let your doctor know what medications you are using (including over the counter products) because there can be quite a few drug-drug interactions.

Hope it will resolve by itself soon!

Jinnie