If we happen to pee when we sneeze, or cough or when we lift something heavy, we are not alone. These are symptoms of stress urinary incontinence that affects one in three women at some point in their life, according to the American Urological Association. Stress urinary incontinence occurs when urine leaks due to sudden pressure on the bladder and urethra, the tube that pushes urine out of the bladder. The problem is more common in women than in men because anatomically women have shorter urethra.
Urinary incontinence can begin to manifest when sneezing, but if not treated properly, urine can begin to leak even with less intense activities such as simply walking or bending over. So if we pee when we sneeze here’s what the experts suggest about it so it doesn’t happen again.
Why do we pee when we sneeze?
The pelvic floor, which supports the bladder and urethra, increases the risk of stress incontinence when damaged. Many things can affect the pelvic floor, including pregnancy, childbirth, surgery in this area, smoking, hormonal changes, overweight and obesity. The problem is more common in women, but men can also develop stress urinary incontinence, especially after prostate surgery.
If we pee when we sneeze here’s what the experts suggest to stop it from happening
In the event of a pee leak, there is nothing to be ashamed of. The problem is common and highly treatable. By contacting a urologist or gynecologist, it is possible to carry out a physical examination with a focus on the organs of the pelvic floor. This exam helps determine what is really going on. As well as other tests could help rule out any other potential causes of the leak, for example a urinary tract infection or blood in the urine.
Stress incontinence treatments
Experts advise, first of all, to adopt lifestyle changes, such as decreasing fluids and timed emptying of the bladder (going to the bathroom at specific intervals). It is also advised to stay away from bladder irritants such as coffee, tea, and juices.
The second tip is to do Kegel exercises daily. They consist of contracting and then relaxing the pelvic floor muscles so that they are able to hold urine better. A good rule of thumb is to do eight to twelve contractions, holding for 10 seconds and relaxing for two seconds and repeating three times a day for six months.
The third tip is to lose weight. Even a few pounds can improve urinary incontinence symptoms. Excessive weight can irritate the bladder and put additional pressure on it.
Not everyone chooses to treat stress incontinence and intervene. Losses can be lived with. But the benefits in terms of quality of life are not indifferent.
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