Leaking urine when coughing can be upsetting. It can destroy your confidence in social settings. So, knowing the reason behind “Why do I pee when I cough?” can help you manage your condition better. This condition, called urinary stress incontinence, is the most common type of urinary incontinence.
The good news is that stress incontinence is highly manageable. So, let’s talk about the available treatment options for it:
What Exactly Is Stress Incontinence?
Stress incontinence is the unintentional leaking of urine. It happens due to pressure, or “stress,” on the bladder. Coughing is a common trigger for this type of leakage, especially when an individual has weak pelvic floor muscles.
The coughing makes pressure build up in the abdomen. This pressure pushes down on the bladder, and as the muscles aren’t strong enough to hold the urine, it leads to leakage.
Known Causes Behind Why Do I Pee When I Cough
Stress incontinence happens when the muscles that control urination, like the pelvic floor or urethral sphincter, become weak or damaged. This weakness, combined with pressure from actions like coughing, leads to urine leakage:
- Urine is stored in the bladder. The muscles around the bladder keep the urine in. This happens when they tighten up the urethra.
- When you urinate, the bladder muscles contract, and the urethra releases urine from the body.
- Coughing creates sudden pressure on the bladder, causing the pelvic floor muscles to momentarily relax.
- This relaxation allows urine to leak out through the urethra.
- Other actions that can cause stress incontinence include sneezing, lifting heavy objects, laughing, and jumping.
Stress incontinence is common during and after pregnancy because the muscles around the bladder can weaken from the stress of pregnancy and childbirth. Women who have had a vaginal delivery are twice as likely to develop stress incontinence compared to those who had a cesarean delivery.
Treatment Options for Stress Incontinence
Luckily, there are various treatment options available to stop peeing when you cough. These include:
Exercise
Strengthening pelvic floor muscles is the most common non-surgical way to treat stress incontinence. A specialist or physiotherapist can recommend exercises that focus on the pelvic floor muscles.
Other Muscle-Strengthening Techniques
If someone struggles to contract their pelvic floor muscles or needs extra support, other methods can be used:
- Electrical stimulation: This technique makes the pelvis muscles strong as they contract using electrical signals.
- Vaginal cones: Small weights are placed in the vagina for 10-20 minutes. The pelvic muscles naturally hold the cone in place and become stronger as the weights are gradually increased.
- Biofeedback: A small probe or electrode measures how well the pelvic muscles are being squeezed. This feedback helps improve exercise techniques and effectiveness.
- Elitone®: It is an FDA-cleared device that tones the pelvic floor and reduces bladder leaks. It’s worn under clothes for about 20 minutes daily, and you can adjust the settings with a handheld controller.
- ThermiVa®: ThermiVa® is an in-office, minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency to stimulate collagen production and remodel tissue. It addresses various vaginal health issues.
Final Word
Stress continence is a common condition. It is highly manageable. However, you need to consult a healthcare provider to offer you the feasible treatment options. So, “Why do I pee when I cough?” should no longer be your concern.
Visit Dr. Harman Buttar, MD at Vital Clinic & Spa. Our board-certified family medicine expert offers helpful, non-invasive treatments for urine incontinence at her practice. Call us at (832) 533-8404 to book an appointment.