So I know not a TON of people have responded, but some of the people who have left nice messages on the final question and mentioned that it helps knowing they aren't alone with this problem. I know I've definitely felt really alone with this problem before, especially as a teenager but even now! We're made to feel like it's such a shameful secret and it can be really embarrassing, especially when you feel like you're the only person in the world still having accidents at your age. So I figured I'd share a little bit about me!
As you can see in my poll description, I'm 24 years old and I've been dealing with this problem for a very long time. I started wetting the bed and wearing diapers at night when I was 11 and have done so every night since (so over half my life!) and began having problems during the day when I was 13. I first started wearing pull-ups during the day when I was 14 and was wearing either those or diapers 24/7 by the time I was 15 and still do to this day. Wearing diapers in high school was rough, but I got through it! I had a few close friends who knew and were very understanding, and I somehow managed to keep it a secret. I have two younger sisters though and they teased me pretty relentless for it.
These days I still wear protection 24/7...diapers at night and either pull-ups or diapers during the day. My daytime accidents are pretty frequent, I always have at least a couple every day, and fairly often it's more than just a couple. To be honest, it's become a more frequent issue in the past year or so and my biggest fear is that I'll eventually have to give up pull-ups and wear diapers 24/7.
Thanks to all those who have taken the poll and left nice messages! It helps me too knowing I'm not the only one out there dealing with incontinence.
Archived from MisterPoll, recovered from the Wayback Machine. The original site removed its legacy polls and forums in 2025.
Wetting Accidents in Late Teens and Young Adults
Hi! I'm Claire, 24, and have been dealing with frequent wetting accidents since I was a teenager and I'm curious about other people's experiences with this problem. This poll is intended for people who had/have on-going, regular problems with day and/or nighttime incontinence during their late teens and/or early adulthood. I'll mark which answers apply to me so you can compare!
Okay! First, some demographics. Gender?
| Guy | 33.0% (5) | |
| Girl (Me) | 66.0% (10) | |
| Non-binary | 0.0% (0) | |
| Other | 0.0% (0) |
15 voters answered this question.
Current Age?
| Under 14 (This poll is really meant for older people...) | 0.0% (0) | |
| 15-16 | 40.0% (6) | |
| 17-18 | 13.0% (2) | |
| 19-20 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 21-22 | 13.0% (2) | |
| 23-24 (Me) | 6.0% (1) | |
| 25-26 | 13.0% (2) | |
| 27-28 | 6.0% (1) | |
| 29-30 | 6.0% (1) | |
| Over 30 | 0.0% (0) |
15 voters answered this question.
Okay, now let's talk about accidents. Do you have problems during the day, at night, or both?
| Daytime only | 0.0% (0) | |
| Nighttime only | 20.0% (3) | |
| Both day and night (me) | 80.0% (12) |
15 voters answered this question.
Was their something specific that caused you to start having accidents?
| Congenital birth defect | 6.0% (1) | |
| Physical injury | 0.0% (0) | |
| Illness | 13.0% (2) | |
| Nothing specific or I'm not sure (Me) | 66.0% (10) | |
| Other | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
Let's talk specifically about bedwetting. If you wet the bed, when did you start?
| I've always wet the bed | 40.0% (6) | |
| Childhood (5-9) | 6.0% (1) | |
| Pre-teen (10-13) (Me) | 26.0% (4) | |
| Teenager (14-19) | 20.0% (3) | |
| Adult (20+) | 6.0% (1) |
15 voters answered this question.
How frequently did or do you experience problems with bedwetting as a teen or young adult? Pick the answer that best represents your average.
| Only once or twice a month | 6.0% (1) | |
| Once or twice a week | 6.0% (1) | |
| Three or four times a week | 26.0% (4) | |
| Five or six times a week | 13.0% (2) | |
| Every night (me) | 46.0% (7) | |
| I did not have problems with bedwetting as a teen or adult | 0.0% (0) |
15 voters answered this question.
If you had bedwetting accidents, how did they occur? Pick all that apply.
| I did/do not have bedwetting accidents | 0.0% (0) | |
| I would completely sleep through the accident and wake up wet (me) | 86.0% (13) | |
| I would wake up in the middle of peeing | 20.0% (3) | |
| I would wake up dry but needing to go so urgently that I wet before I could get out of bed | 20.0% (3) | |
| I would have dreams that I was peeing when accidents occurred (sometimes me) | 33.0% (5) | |
| Other, feel free to elaborate | 6.0% (1) |
15 voters answered this question.
Did bedwetting accidents stop your from doing any of the following? Pick all that apply.
| Small sleepover (only a few close friends) | 6.0% (1) | |
| Large sleepovers (me) | 46.0% (7) | |
| Summer camp or similar camps (me) | 33.0% (5) | |
| Overnight school field trips (me) | 33.0% (5) | |
| Living in a dorm (yep, also me) | 40.0% (6) | |
| Other | 26.0% (4) | |
| I did/do not have problems with bedwetting | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
If your bedwetting stopped your from certain activities, why? Pick all that apply.
| Bedwetting did not stop me from activities or I did/do not have bedwetting problems | 26.0% (4) | |
| Too embarrassed or afraid people would find out (me) | 66.0% (10) | |
| Parents would not let me | 13.0% (2) | |
| Rules at the location where I would have been sleeping | 0.0% (0) | |
| Other | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
If you went to college, how did you deal with bedwetting while living in a dorm? If you haven't gone to college but plan to, you can answer based on how you think you'll deal with it.
| I did not and/or do not plan to go to college or I did not have problems with bedwetting while in college | 26.0% (4) | |
| Successfully hid it from dormmate | 0.0% (0) | |
| Unsuccessfully hid it from dormmate | 13.0% (2) | |
| Was able to to get a private dorm room | 13.0% (2) | |
| Lived off campus in my own apartment | 20.0% (3) | |
| Lived at home with parents during college (me) | 20.0% (3) | |
| Other | 6.0% (1) |
15 voters answered this question.
When did you stop having regular bedwetting problems?
| I never had bedwetting problems in my late teens or as a young adult | 0.0% (0) | |
| 15-16 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 17-18 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 19-20 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 21-22 | 6.0% (1) | |
| 23-24 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 25+ | 0.0% (0) | |
| Bedwetting is still an on-going issue for me, if so, how old are you now (Me, 24) | 93.0% (14) |
15 voters answered this question.
Okay, now let's talk about daytime accidents. When did you start having accidents during the day?
| Regular daytime accidents have not been a problem for me past potty training age | 13.0% (2) | |
| I've always had daytime accidents and/or was never fully potty trained | 33.0% (5) | |
| As a child (4-9) | 0.0% (0) | |
| As a pre-teen (10-13) (Me) | 26.0% (4) | |
| As a teenager (14-19) | 20.0% (3) | |
| As an adult (20+) | 6.0% (1) |
15 voters answered this question.
How frequently do you have daytime accidents? Pick the option closest to your average. For the purposes of this question, only count times when you completely lose control and empty your bladder.
| I did/do not have problems with regular daytime accidents | 13.0% (2) | |
| I only experience small bladder leaks and never completely lose control | 0.0% (0) | |
| Very rarely, less than once a month | 13.0% (2) | |
| Rarely, only once or twice a month | 0.0% (0) | |
| Somewhat often, a few times a month | 0.0% (0) | |
| Often, I consistently have at least one or two accident a week | 13.0% (2) | |
| Very often, I consistently have at least three to five accidents a week | 20.0% (3) | |
| Extremely often, I consistently have at least one or two accidents a day (me) | 0.0% (0) | |
| Almost constantly, I consistently have more than three accidents a day | 6.0% (1) | |
| Constantly, I have no bladder control | 33.0% (5) |
15 voters answered this question.
How or why do your daytime accidents occur? Pick all that apply.
| I do not have regular problems with daytime accidents | 13.0% (2) | |
| I do not notice I have to pee until I'm already wetting (sometimes me) | 60.0% (9) | |
| I get strong, sudden urges and can't hold it (sometimes me) | 60.0% (9) | |
| Strenuous physical activity, e.g., running, heavy lifting | 0.0% (0) | |
| Coughing, sneezing, etc | 13.0% (2) | |
| Laughing too hard (sometimes me, but not often) | 33.0% (5) | |
| Situations where I do not have easy access to a restroom, e.g., class, driving, etc. (me) | 46.0% (7) | |
| Mobility issues due to disability | 0.0% (0) | |
| Other | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
Have you been diagnosed with medical incontinence? Pick more than one if you have multiple types.
| I do not have regular problems with daytime accidents. | 6.0% (1) | |
| No, I have not | 40.0% (6) | |
| Yes, Urge Incontinence (me) | 33.0% (5) | |
| Yes, Stress Incontinence | 6.0% (1) | |
| Yes, Overflow Incontinence | 6.0% (1) | |
| Yes, Functional Incontinence | 20.0% (3) | |
| No, but I have another medical issue that cause my accidents | 6.0% (1) |
15 voters answered this question.
Have you tried any of the following to reduce the number of accidents you have and, if so, did they help? Pick all that apply.
| I do not have regular problems with daytime accidents | 6.0% (1) | |
| Medication, did help | 0.0% (0) | |
| Medication, did not help (me) | 26.0% (4) | |
| Botox, did help | 0.0% (0) | |
| Botox, did not help | 0.0% (0) | |
| Surgery, did help | 0.0% (0) | |
| Surgery, did not help | 0.0% (0) | |
| Kegel or other bladder training exercises, did help (me, it helped reduce the number of small leaks I have) | 13.0% (2) | |
| Kegel or other bladder training exercies, did not help | 20.0% (3) | |
| I have not tried any of these | 46.0% (7) | |
| Other | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
If you had wetting accidents in your late teens, what kind of high school did you attend?
| I did not have regular problems with wetting accidents in my late teens | 20.0% (3) | |
| Public school, for reasons unrelated to my accidents | 53.0% (8) | |
| Public school, for reasons related to my accidents | 0.0% (0) | |
| Private school, for reasons unrelated to my accidents (me) | 6.0% (1) | |
| Private school, for reasons related to my accidents | 0.0% (0) | |
| Home school, for reasons unrelated to my accidents | 0.0% (0) | |
| Home school, for reasons related to my accidents | 13.0% (2) | |
| Other | 6.0% (1) |
15 voters answered this question.
If you attended a particular type of high school for reasons related to your accidents, what were the reasons? Pick all that apply.
| I did not have regular problems with accidents during high school | 33.0% (5) | |
| My accidents had no relation to the type of high school I attend (me) | 46.0% (7) | |
| Rules at the school I would have otherwise attended, what was the rule | 0.0% (0) | |
| Parent's choice, why | 20.0% (3) | |
| My choice, why | 0.0% (0) | |
| Other | 0.0% (0) |
15 voters answered this question.
At what age did you stop having regular problems with daytime accidents?
| I have never had regular problems with daytime accidents in my late teens or as a young adult | 13.0% (2) | |
| 15-16 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 17-18 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 19-20 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 21-22 | 6.0% (1) | |
| 23-24 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 25+ | 0.0% (0) | |
| Regular daytime accidents are still an on going issue for me, if so, how old are you now? (me, 24) | 80.0% (12) |
15 voters answered this question.
Now for some questions related to both day and nighttime wettings. If you had wetting accidents while living with your parents, how did they react to your problem? Pick more than one if appropriate.
| I did not have wetting problems while living with my parents | 0.0% (0) | |
| They were very understanding and sympathetic | 53.0% (8) | |
| They were frequently frustrated or angry (me) | 40.0% (6) | |
| They accused you of doing it on purpose | 13.0% (2) | |
| They ignored the issue completely | 0.0% (0) | |
| They felt you would have less accidents if you tried harder (me) | 46.0% (7) | |
| They treated you like a little kid | 53.0% (8) | |
| Other | 20.0% (3) |
15 voters answered this question.
Were you ever punished by your parents for having accidents?
| Yes (me) | 40.0% (6) | |
| No | 60.0% (9) |
15 voters answered this question.
If so, did they use any of the following punishments? Pick all that apply
| I did not have wetting problems while living with my parents | 33.0% (5) | |
| Spanking | 20.0% (3) | |
| Grounding | 26.0% (4) | |
| Taking away privileges (phone, internet, video games, etc) (me, they wouldn't let me play video games sometimes) | 33.0% (5) | |
| Early bed time | 60.0% (9) |
15 voters answered this question.
Were you ever teased for having accidents? By whom? Pick all that apply.
| I was never teased for having accidents | 26.0% (4) | |
| Yes, by my parents | 6.0% (1) | |
| Yes, by siblings (me) | 46.0% (7) | |
| Yes, by other family members (me, my cousin) | 60.0% (9) | |
| Yes, by close friends | 6.0% (1) | |
| Yes, by kids at my school (me) | 46.0% (7) | |
| Yes, by co-workers | 6.0% (1) | |
| Yes, by significant other/spouse | 0.0% (0) | |
| Yes, by complete strangers | 20.0% (3) | |
| Yes, by other people | 20.0% (3) |
15 voters answered this question.
Do you know anyone else in real life who has or had problems with accidents in their late teens or as an adult?
| No or not that I'm aware of (me) | 60.0% (9) | |
| Yes, siblings | 6.0% (1) | |
| Yes, extended family members | 13.0% (2) | |
| Yes, close friends | 13.0% (2) | |
| Yes, other kids at my school | 13.0% (2) | |
| Yes, co-workers | 0.0% (0) | |
| Yes, other | 26.0% (4) |
15 voters answered this question.
Do you have problems with low self esteem due at least in part to your accidents?
| Yes (me) | 66.0% (10) | |
| No | 33.0% (5) |
15 voters answered this question.
Do you think that you'll ever stop having problems with accidents?
| I have already stopped having accidents | 0.0% (0) | |
| Yes, I'm completely certain that I will | 6.0% (1) | |
| I think that I probably will | 6.0% (1) | |
| I have absolutely no idea | 40.0% (6) | |
| I think it is very unlikely that I will (me) | 33.0% (5) | |
| I'm 100% sure that I will not | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
Okay, whether you call them diapers, nappies, pull-ups, or something else, the embarrassing reality for some of us is that we sometimes need a little extra protection. So, do you use or have you used protection for your wetting?
| Yes, I still use protection (me) | 100.0% (15) | |
| Yes, I have in the past but no longer do | 0.0% (0) | |
| No, my wetting problems are not bad enough to need them | 0.0% (0) | |
| No, but I've considered it before and might in the future | 0.0% (0) | |
| No, and I would absolutely never use it | 0.0% (0) |
15 voters answered this question.
Do you use protection for nighttime, daytime, or both?
| I do not use protection | 0.0% (0) | |
| Nighttime only | 26.0% (4) | |
| Daytime only | 0.0% (0) | |
| Both (me) | 73.0% (11) |
15 voters answered this question.
If you use protection at night, how often do you use it? Pick more than one if appropriate.
| I do not use protection at night | 0.0% (0) | |
| When sleeping in a new or strange place | 0.0% (0) | |
| When I think there's a higher chance of having an accident for some reason | 13.0% (2) | |
| When I'm sleeping anywhere that isn't my own bed | 6.0% (1) | |
| When I'm sharing a bed with someone else | 0.0% (0) | |
| Every night, no matter what (me) | 93.0% (14) |
15 voters answered this question.
What kind of protection do you use at night?
| I do not use protection at night | 0.0% (0) | |
| Cloth diapers | 6.0% (1) | |
| Cloth pull-ups/training pants | 0.0% (0) | |
| Disposable, tape-on diapers (me) | 46.0% (7) | |
| Disposable pull-ups | 20.0% (3) | |
| Incontinence pads | 0.0% (0) | |
| Other | 26.0% (4) |
15 voters answered this question.
How old were you when you started wearing protection to bed?
| I have never worn protection for bed past an appropriate age | 0.0% (0) | |
| I've always worn protection to bed | 40.0% (6) | |
| As a child (5-9) | 6.0% (1) | |
| As a pre-teen (10-13) (me) | 26.0% (4) | |
| As a teenager (14-19) | 20.0% (3) | |
| As an adult (20+) | 6.0% (1) |
15 voters answered this question.
Why did you first start wearing protection to bed?
| I have never worn protection for bed past an appropriate age | 0.0% (0) | |
| I have always worn protection to bed | 53.0% (8) | |
| My parents made me, I had no choice (me) | 13.0% (2) | |
| My parents suggested it and I agreed | 6.0% (1) | |
| Someone else made and I had no choice, if so who? | 0.0% (0) | |
| Someone else suggested it and I agreed, if so who? | 0.0% (0) | |
| I decided to wear it myself, but the frequency of my accidents gave me little or no choice | 13.0% (2) | |
| I decided to wear it myself, because I thought it would be more convenient and/or less embarrassing | 13.0% (2) | |
| Other | 0.0% (0) |
15 voters answered this question.
How old were you when you stopped wearing protection to bed?
| I never wore protection to bed as a teenager or young adult | 0.0% (0) | |
| 15-16 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 17-18 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 19-20 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 21-22 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 23-24 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 25+ | 0.0% (0) | |
| I still wear protection to bed, if so how old are you now (me, 24) | 100.0% (15) |
15 voters answered this question.
If you wear or wore protection during the day as a teen or young adult, when did you start?
| I never used daytime protection as a teen or adult | 20.0% (3) | |
| I have always worn daytime protection | 33.0% (5) | |
| As a child (4-9) | 0.0% (0) | |
| As a pre-teen (10-13) | 26.0% (4) | |
| As a teen (14-19) (me) | 13.0% (2) | |
| As an adult (20+) | 6.0% (1) |
15 voters answered this question.
What type of protection do or did you use during the day as a teen or adult? Pick more than one if you use multiple types.
| I have never worn daytime protection as a teen or adult | 20.0% (3) | |
| Cloth diapers | 0.0% (0) | |
| Cloth pull-ups/training pants | 0.0% (0) | |
| Disposable, tape-on diapers (me, sometimes) | 46.0% (7) | |
| Disposable pull-ups (me, usually) | 46.0% (7) | |
| Incontinence pads | 0.0% (0) | |
| Other | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
As a teen or adult, do/did you wear protection all the time or only in situations where an accident was more likely?
| I have never worn daytime protection as a teen or adult | 20.0% (3) | |
| I wore/wear protection all day and use the same kind of protection in all situations | 26.0% (4) | |
| I wore/wear protection all day, but use heavier protection in certain situations (me) | 40.0% (6) | |
| I only wore/wear protection in situations where I was likely to have an accident | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
If you said you only wore/wear protection in certain situations or that you use heavier protection in certain situations, in what kinds of situations do you use protection? Pick all that apply
| I have never worn daytime protection as a teen or adult | 20.0% (3) | |
| I use the same kind of protection in all situations and wear all day | 26.0% (4) | |
| School | 20.0% (3) | |
| Traveling (me) | 53.0% (8) | |
| Church | 13.0% (2) | |
| Family gatherings (me, sometimes) | 40.0% (6) | |
| Playing sports | 6.0% (1) | |
| Amusement Parks/Theme Parks/Carnivals/etc (me) | 40.0% (6) | |
| Weddings or other formal occasions (me, sometimes) | 33.0% (5) | |
| Movie theaters (me) | 33.0% (5) | |
| Work | 13.0% (2) | |
| Other | 13.0% (2) |
15 voters answered this question.
If you wore/wear daytime protection as a teen or adult, at what age did your stop?
| I have never worn daytime protection as a teen or adult | 20.0% (3) | |
| 15-16 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 17-18 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 19-20 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 21-22 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 23-24 | 0.0% (0) | |
| 25+ | 0.0% (0) | |
| I still wear protection during the day, if so how old are you? (me, 24) | 80.0% (12) |
15 voters answered this question.
That's it, you're done! Thanks for taking my poll! Feel free to leave any comments or suggestions below (optional)
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