When to 'go'

I don’t know which is best but I generally go when want to, unless of course I’m out shopping then it’s a case of finding the toilets. I’ve never got to the stage where when I cough I need Tena ladies or sneeze so I must be ok

I’m afraid she was wrong according to my kidney specialist. Deliberately retaining urine contributes to UTIs and bladder infections. Something to do with weakening bladder muscles and allowing bacteria to breed.

grannyactivist I was told exactly the same as you.

Yep.

Yes - empty your bladder as often as can.

Gosh no, for many reasons.

We were taught how to find a bush, with discretion.
It's served me well all my life.

Recently in emergency, in lay-bys I have discovered opening both car doors and hiding techniques.

As long as I can fully squat, which I can, I'll be OK.

re Time for Tena ladies:
I guess few of us will be able to hold it off forever, but I do lots of pelvic floor exercises, if I didn't they'd probably be in the supermarket trolley. I take long term meds which weakens pelvic floor muscles, so cant recommend them enough.

Sorry, gosh yes for "going", no to the O/P's mum.

Hahaha Wyllow you made me laugh. I’m another for opening both car doors in a lay-by or quiet place. I thought I was the only person in the world that does that! I also find a convenient bush if possible. The worst time to be caught short is in a town centre or on the seafront. Public toilets don’t exist anymore.

Lack of public loos is a real problem. I tend to go to a café for a loo and a coffee and defeat the object!

I have to go quickly since having a few ops. I can't squat if I did I would collapse to the ground because of the state of my knees.

No, I think she was wrong.

Pelvic floor exercises are the training we need.

Years ago we met up with friends when we were touring overseas and her advice to me was sound: "Never pass a loo without taking the opportunity. You never know where the next one might be".

The late Duke of Edinburgh cautioned “never pass up the opportunity”.

My late mum used to make me laugh when we holidayed together in her 80’s. Sometimes we’d leave somewhere and I’d ask her if she wanted the loo? “No, I went yesterday” was always her reply.
🤣

I would say every three hours or so and when you are about to go out or leave a restaurant. Also, try to spread your drinks throughout the day. Oh, and last thing at night.

Urmstongran - love your mum 😂

Also, I find that the longer I hold on, the sooner I need to go again.

Callistemon21

No, I think she was wrong.

Pelvic floor exercises are the training we need.

Years ago we met up with friends when we were touring overseas and her advice to me was sound: "Never pass a loo without taking the opportunity. You never know where the next one might be".

Oh most definitely re taking opportunities.

Troubles with bushes plan: open fell walking. Route planning in advance required. Not sure about plan when knees won't behave.

Honesty required: when on beach
do you decide to take convenient dip...

I'm not letting on....

I was out once in the country and was desperate I saw a tree a good few feet away from the path that was big enough for me to get behind and not be seen from the path so I drop my drawers and am mid stream when I looked up and realised there was another path above my one and on the ‘other’ side of the tree with a great view for everyone walking along this upper path !!!

For alfresco wee-ing, I can recommend the shewee or equivalent. Practice in the shower and you’ll be “good to go!” Lockdown trips to the chemist for my sister were a nightmare! A 60 min walk through town with an indeterminate time queuing, and no toilets! I ware skirts so I once found myself leaning on an underpass over a drain with my underwear discreetly lowered gently directing into the drain. I was sure I could stop if someone appeared! Dark days?
I have always had a problem with urge incontinence and “doorstepping” so I try to suppress the overwhelming urge and go when I choose. So, when I arrive home “bursting” I try to resist or I’ll never make it then go later.
I’ve relentlessly done my pelvic floor exercises and I’m getting some relief.
Urgent incontinence is like an evil imp on your shoulder, you only have to let the thought cross your mind you can’t get to a loo and off it goes.

It takes me so long to reach the bathroom I have to set off at the first sign of wanting to go!

I don’t like weeing in the shower or bath but I have been known to do a sea-wee. I wish I didn’t have to wee so often. When I was young I could go for hours but not now and it is awkward at times. I always check out where the loos are wherever we go and I didn’t like France where they all seemed to be hidden, won’t be going there again for sure.

Callistemon21

No, I think she was wrong.

Pelvic floor exercises are the training we need.

Years ago we met up with friends when we were touring overseas and her advice to me was sound: "Never pass a loo without taking the opportunity. You never know where the next one might be".

I seem to be quoting lots of your posts recently

"Never pass a loo without taking the opportunity. You never know where the next one might be".

When I went to the Chelsea Flower Show some years ago I remembered Alan Titchmarsh's advice which was to 'go' when you saw one, whether you 'needed' to or not. I was so glad I did, saved frantic searching as they weren't that plentiful!

Whenever we went on a day out or to the city my mother would always ask when we were in a cafe, shop or somewhere with a toilet "Does anyone want to go?"

I can remember once walking around Venice in agony and when I found the public toilets (not easy) there was a big queue for the ladies. I nipped into the mens and got glared at coming out.

While at Glastonbury I honed the art of festival chic / al fresco weeing.
If you have ever been to Glastonbury you will understand the importance of by passing the portaloos if at all possible - and even worse, the horrifying wooden plank over a ditch set up 😱

It involves wearing a maxi dress and no knickers; kneeling down near the edge of some bushes and casually chatting to your companion, as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening

And apparently 250,000 Glasto festival goers doing al fresco weeing killed off all the fish in the nearby river when the rain washed all that urine there.