I try to use the bathroom, but I leak right before I get there. Why is that?

It is probably better to do the Kegels separate from urination time. From the Mayo Clinic website (just google Kegel mayo):

Don't make a habit of using Kegel exercises to start and stop your urine stream. Doing Kegel exercises while emptying your bladder can actually lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder — which increases the risk of a urinary tract infection.

Kegel Exercises - do them. They work. Unless there is some underlying disease, this is due to weakened muscles which can be strengthened.

yourmom101, welcome to the golden years. So many women as they age are finding that we can't dash to the bathroom quick enough. For me, if I sit too long in front of the computer, as soon as I stand up, I need to make that made dash. Sneezing is also a trigger.

Golden is right, do the Kegel exercises. I need to keep reminding myself to do them.

Can I join your group? LOL as I have the same problem. When I was young I never dreamt that my body would act like this when I aged. My mother and dad never complained so I never even had an idea that these kind of things just happen as you age.

I never got kegels, they never seemed to do anything; then I found some youtube videos showing how to identify the correct muscles and exercise them. But yeah, if you slack off the leaks soon come back, usually at a most inconvenient time.
And I always assumed I wouldn't have this problem because I haven't had any kids, but I do. 😒

All the Kegels in the world won't help if you have a vaginal prolapse (where the vagina is pushed forward or down), caused by a Cystocele (the bladder protruding (pushing) into the vaginal canal).

I went through my health plan's Bladder Physical Therapy (vaginal exams with the female practitioner's finger inside the vagina) to see if I was doing the Kegels correctly. My doctor had me put one foot up on a stool, put an absorbent pad on the floor then told me to cough. Sprinkles-but, thankfully, not gushers!

I wound up having surgery for a Rectocele repair (same principle but the part "falling" into the vagina is the rectum.) Yeah, I know, TMI. 🙄
It helped somewhat with the incontinence because things were "back in place".

All I'm saying is that sometimes, if Kegels alone aren't working (providing you are doing them correctly and often), there may be more going on than just muscle tightness issues. Get checked by your GYN doctor.

In the class I was taught to not urinate unless I had to (had an urge) and to not look at the toilet directly as you walk into the bathroom. It sends signals to the brain to loosen the bladder muscle. Look at the towels or mirror instead. Sounds stupid but it has helped.

I went for 9 months of pelvic floor physical therapy for my own leaking problem - which did nothing to help it. (I am expert Kegel Queen - BTW - all to no avail!) A gazillion medical tests performed - and no physiologic reason for my leaking, except for aging and being post-menopausal. (Never been pregnant.) Leaking is a real inconvenience, that's for sure.

TMI? - I'll share most anything if it will help other people in this forum.

I might mention that if those disposal pads are irritating to anyone, there are reusable menstrual pads available online that wrap around the crotch of one's panties and snap. They work well for urine leaks and can be laundered in the regular household laundry.

Yourmom, if you are not familiar with kegal exercises they are very simple. When urinating tense muscles to stop flow. My PT said count to 3 release, do 10x per bathroom run. I couldn't even stop flow for first month. Then as you are sitting do the squeeze as often as you remember, I do it in heavy traffic to redirect my frustration at textors holding up the flow of traffic.

I have never checked but there might be videos on internet explaining the how, when and what. This can be dealt with, so chin up😀

As others have answered, “Senior Spritzes” are perfectly normal for us “ladies of a certain age”, especially those of us who’ve had children. When I turn on the tap in the sink, I most often have to make a beeline for the bathroom. The pads are wonderful. Be aware that the regular pantiliners don’t work as well. They seem to hold moisture and that can be uncomfortable. I use Poise. More important than the brand is finding a pad that works for you.

SueC1957. I am really going try the don't look thing. I know it is in my brain, because I do pretty good until I get near the toilet. Another problem is like a little kid, I try to get one more thing done or this thing finished before I go to the bathroom. I need to stop and just go when I feel the urge.