hELP! What can I DO About Bladder Leaks During Sex?
Answer:
It’s no secret that discussing sex and urinary incontinence can make even the most confident among us squirm a little. And let’s face it, urinary incontinence during sex (formally termed coital urinary incontinence) — that’s a whole new level of discomfort. But here’s the thing: discomfort often stems from unfamiliarity and embarrassment. Yet, the very topics that we’re conditioned to avoid are the ones that need our attention the most.
If you’re eager to gain insights that can truly make a difference in your life, then keep reading. In this blog we discuss four key things that every woman should know about leaking urine during sex. Get empowered to seek care and make a positive change.
3 Things to Know About Bladder Leaks and Sex
1.) You are not alone.
Have you ever wondered if you are the only one out there leaking urine or peeing during sex? Rest assured, you’re far from alone. While we know it is not normal, coital incontinence is surprisingly common. In a study involving 324 sexually active women who were referred to a urology clinic due to bladder leakage, 24% experienced some type of urinary incontinence during intercourse. That’s almost 1 in 4 women with this same complaint!
In fact, the female urinary and sexual anatomical structures share commonalities. The muscles, connective tissues, and nerves of both systems overlap, meaning that issues with one system often affects the other. So, it certainly makes sense that incontinence during sex can occur!
2.) Urinating during sex can occur at two distinct moments.
From a pure clinical research perspective, two experiences have been recognized as frequent culprits for peeing or leaking urine during sex, for females.
#1: Vaginal Penetration
Leaking urine during vaginal penetration has been associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine that occurs with any activity that adds impact to the body. This may be jumping, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or yes, even sex. These activities contribute to increased pressure within the abdominal cavity (ever felt your abs ache after a bout of coughing during a cold?). If this pressure isn’t properly managed via proper mechanics of the deep core muscles, it can lead to bladder leaks.
Vaginal penetration itself can also trigger bladder leaks. This happens because the pelvic floor muscles play a role in supporting the function of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). When there’s an underlying issue with weak pelvic floor muscles, the pelvic floor may not be able to counteract the increased abdominal pressure caused by vaginal penetration and different positions during intimate moments – resulting in leaks.
#2: Orgasm
Leaking urine during an orgasm can be linked to a condition known as detrusor (the bladder muscle) overactivity: spontaneous contractions of the bladder muscle when the bladder is not emptying.
Detrusor overactivity is often associated with an overactive bladder or urinary urgency, which is that sensation of needing to rush to the bathroom frequently and sometimes with significant urge throughout the day, and possibly even at night. It’s crucial to address this urgency in everyday life, not just in the bedroom, to ensure the bladder functions properly and doesn’t disrupt sexual experiences.
3.) You don't Have To live with it. Really.
Bladder leaks can have effects that reach far beyond your sex life. Leakage can insidiously impact a woman’s self-esteem and body image, regardless of age. Unfortunately, studies show that more than 60% of women avoid sexual activity to avoid peeing during sex.
If you’re seeking solutions for how to stop leaking during sex, it’s important to consult with a specialized healthcare provider who focuses on pelvic health. This may be a pelvic floor physical therapist, a urogynecologist, or your OB/GYN. These doctors can listen to your unique story and determine what lifestyle changes and treatments you need to make long-term improvement in your quality of life.
But what can you do right now?
- Validate your feelings and recognize that feelings of embarrassment and frustration are natural when dealing with urine leakage during sex. While these emotions are valid, remind yourself that you’re deserving of love and fulfilling intimate experiences.
- Empty your bladder before sex and pay attention to any dietary irritants that may contribute to your urine leaking. This could be coffee, cocktails, or something else altogether. Keep a bladder log to track your intake of fluids and food for a week, noting any times you are experiencing leaking and what you may have been doing beforehand. A pelvic health specialist can help you with this too.
- Try different sex positions. This may help you reduce the pressure being placed on your bladder and reduce leaks.
Embark on your journey to intimate wellness
In taking away these six key insights about peeing during sex, remember that you’re not alone on this journey. The path to understanding, regaining confidence, and fostering fulfilling intimate connections is within your reach. Empower yourself with knowledge, seek support, and explore available solutions. Your well-being is worth prioritizing, and you have the ability to reclaim control over your sexual experiences.
Sources:
Hilton P. (1988). Urinary incontinence during sexual intercourse: a common, but rarely volunteered, symptom. Br J Obstet Gynaecol; 95(4): 377-81. Doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1988.tb06609.x.
Renato L. M. (2017). Female urinary incontinence and sexuality. International Braz J Urol; 43(1): 20-28. Doi: 10.1590/S1677-5548.IBJU.2016.0102.
Moalem, S. & Reidenberg, J. S. (2009). Does female ejaculation serve an antimicrobial purpose? Med Hypotheses; 73(6): 1069-71. Doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2009.07.024
Burzyński B, Kwiatkowska K, Sołtysiak-Gibała Z, Bryniarski P, Przymuszała P, Wlaźlak E, Rzymski P. Impact of stress urinary incontinence on female sexual activity. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021 Jan;25(2):643-653. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202101_24622. PMID: 33577017.
About the author:
This blog article was authored and reviewed by pelvic floor physical therapists Leah Fulker, PT, DPT, PCES and Shravya Kovela, PT, DPT, OCS.
Pelvic floor muscle strengthening with Flyte can stop or reduce bladder leaks. Flyte® is an FDA-cleared at-home treatment for bladder leaks. Flyte uses the proven treatment modality of mechanotherapy to strengthen and tone the pelvic floor muscles in only 5 minutes a day for 6 weeks. In clinical trial, 82% of women were continent in 6 weeks. Flyte’s mechanotherapy was shown in research to increase the impact of your Kegels by 39x – meaning you see results quickly. Flyte is a convenient, easy, and effective treatment solution for women seeking relief from bladder leaks with results comparable to surgery in a non-invasive treatment option from the comfort of home. Flyte is available directly at www.flytetherapy.com or by prescription from your healthcare provider with coverage by select insurances.
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One Response
Do you have any similar articles on male urinary continence during sex? In fact, Ive noticed that most of the content that is published is female focussed, something that’s a real frustration for us guys with similar problems.
Leakage during Sex for me/men is a huge problem as is intercourse should I be wearing a catheter. Please don’t forget us men.