Dear Julie: This has been happening to me also around my period. When I sneeze I leak a little also. I too am 46 and I think I have been going through perimenopause for a few years. First I thought it was a nervous condition but then after talkin with my GYN she confirmed that it is the start of the change. I have recently stared with the vaginal dryness even thoug I still am getting periods. Thougt I had infection but it wasn't. She prescribed Premarin creme. I only used it when it was completely necessary otherwise I use the KY-Silke lotion.

Hi

I suggest girls that you get doing your pelvic floor exercises because you should not be leaking urine, regardless of what time of the month it is.

Regards
Joan

What are those exercises, Joan? I'd like to start them before I start piddling! :D

Cheers, JoJo

The exercises Joan is talking about are called "kegel" exercises. They consist of tightening up all the muscles in your vagina as if you had to pee desperately and holding them for a set period (say a count of ten) and then relaxing. They are designed to strengthen and tone the sphinctre and vaginal muscles. They are supposed to give heightened sensation to our hubbies when we grip them during intercourse!! WOW! You can practice silently anywhere, anytime. They may help you build up the muscle tone you need to prevent leaking. Good luck.

I have been doing those exercises for years. After I sent my post I thought about it and thought I should have added that I DO do them. I still piddle. I could have just emptied my bladder, doesn't matter, if it is that time in my cycle it will happen. Earlier in the month it doesn't matter how full or how much I cough, it won't happen. Weird.

Thanks! I do them sometimes (and often on my husband, LOL, he says I'm "really strong down there" Hahahahaha!).

I guess I should do them more often !!!

Merry Xmas all,
JoJo

Julie: Incontinence may or may not be related to your being premenopausal. Here's what some of my literature says: "With approaching menopause and during the years that follow, normal aging and declining estrogen levels may affect the lining of the urethra (the tube through which urine empties from the bladder), causing it to become thin and the surrounding muscles to weaken. As a result, a woman may have involuntary leakage --called incontinence (especially when sneezing, coughing, laughing, or lifting . . . ." I started having a little incontinence when I sneezed a couple of years ago (when I was 46). My doctor checked me for other things, but everything was fine. I'm still not in menopause, but the incontinence has stopped.

I am on hrt, and have noticed that when I was on a higher dose, I didn't seem to have as much of a problem with leaking when I run, or suddenly sneeze on a full bladder. Now that I'm on a lower dose,(.625) I practice my kegels, and wear a tampon when I run. It helps hold up the bladder from within- helping with the leaking problem. Good Luck, they do say the lower the estrogen the more chances of leaking... Bummer since I want to get off the hrt altogether as my mom had breast cancer and I'm only 37!