Why Do I Pee When I Sneeze?
by Admin
When you sneeze, is it normal to pee? The answer to this question may surprise you. Although you may feel like this is a problem that only you are dealing with, it turns out that urine leakage when sneezing or other forms of activity is rather common. There are approximately 17 million individuals in the United States that experience bladder control problems, otherwise known as urinary incontinence. So, the answer to your questions is that it is not NORMAL, but it IS COMMON.
The real question you are likely asking however, is whether there is a solution. The good news is yes, there is a solution!
Before we talk about solutions, lets define Urinary Incontinence. It is the involuntary loss of urine. The frustration of urinary incontinence is not limited to older women. It can occur at any age and is most likely the result of damage done during childbirth or previous pelvic surgeries that affect your bladder control muscles. But it can also be the result of hormonal changes and more!
Incontinence can be a frustrating condition to deal with and the bladder is a very complex organ! There are several different types of incontinence and knowing which one you have often helps in diagnosis as well as treatment plans for your particular needs! The time has come to take a step forward in your quest for bladder control! November is Bladder Health Awareness Month, and there’s no better way to start than by exploring the different types of incontinence.
The types of Urinary Incontinence are as follows:
- Urge Incontinence- Urge incontinence is when you need to go to the toilet right away. You might not make it, and you will likely leak urine. It can be caused by something called an Overactive Bladder. An Overactive Bladder can happen to someone for many reasons. You might have it because you have weak pelvic muscles, nerve damage, low levels of estrogen after menopause or are heavier.
- Stress Incontinence– When you have stress incontinence, your pelvic floor muscles are weakened and no longer properly support the organs in your pelvis. As a result, you are likely to have urine leakage during physical activity and/or exertion, such as sneezing and laughing.
- Overflow Incontinence– You may have Overflow Incontinence if your bladder does not completely empty each time you go to the bathroom, resulting in leakage of what remains. This type of incontinence often impacts individuals with chronic conditions.
- Mixed Incontinence– Mixed Incontinence is the combination of multiple incontinence types. For example, someone could have symptoms for both Stress Incontinence and Urge Incontinence.
While the above may sound a bit discouraging, there is hope! There are currently multiple non-surgical treatment options for patients suffering with incontinence. These options range from forms of therapeutic exercises to medication, neurostimulation and even Botox injections.
If the non-surgical options aren’t providing relief, there is still hope! Dr. Praba Jeyalingam can help! She is a well-trained and experienced surgeon who has successfully completed multiple surgeries to restore pelvic floor function. She’s also well-versed in robotic surgery, making her able to handle the most complex cases! Interested in exploring your options? Contact Dr. Jeyalingam for a consultation today!
Filed Under: Bladder Health, Gynecology, Incontinence, Womens Health