Stress incontinence is a severe condition that affects the lives of many women, causing embarrassment in social settings and irritation and soreness from the moisture buildup. In normal urinary function, muscles in the urethra act like valves, staying closed until the bladder is full of urine. When the muscles are weak, sneezing or any other stress places pressure on pelvic floor muscles, causing the premature release of urine. If you sneeze when you pee, here are a few reasons why the muscles don’t function properly and what you can do to solve the problem.

Why You Pee While Sneezing

1. Weight Gain

Packing on the pounds doesn’t only increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes — obesity can also cause incontinence. Similar to pregnancy, excess weight places pressure on the bladder, making it difficult to control the release of urine. Staying active and switching to a healthy diet can help shed pounds and lower the risk of obesity-related issues, including incontinence. 

2. Pregnancy

Stress incontinence often happens during pregnancy and after childbirth. The weight gain while carrying the fetus can place pressure on the bladder, causing leakage. The strain placed on the pelvic region during delivery can weaken levator muscles, cause nerve damage, and tear or stretch connective tissue, causing the urethra to release a few drops or a stream of urine when you sneeze. If an episiotomy was performed, cutting of the perineum could lead to stress-induced incontinence. Although the incision is closed after the episiotomy, you can also do Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. 

3. Smoking

The harmful effects of smoking can impact bladder control. As nicotine and other chemicals damage the lungs, smokers cough more. The force of heavy coughing stresses pelvic floor muscles. Over time, the muscles become weak, and as a result, sneezing, laughing, and any additional pressure causes the urethra to open. In addition to curbing the bad habit to give your lungs a break and protect overall health, practicing Kegel exercises can help restore muscle strength.

If you experience incontinence, there’s no need to suffer in silence when the urology specialist at Medical Center Urology in High Point, NC, can help. Since 1990, the staff has been committed to helping patients throughout the Triad area solve their urinary function issues. They will also recommend lifestyle changes to curb an overactive bladder. For treatment for female urinary incontinence, call (336) 882-0220. Visit the center online for more information on other health issues the medical professionals will address. Become a Facebook follower for more advice.