Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesOther Risk FactorsTreatmentOutlookPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Other Risk Factors
Treatment
Outlook
Prevention
If you pee (urinate) when you cough, you may havestress urinaryincontinence(SUI), which occurs when the bladder and pelvic floor muscles weaken. Other types of incontinence include urge incontinence (overactive bladder), mixed (stress and urge), overflow, and functional (it’s hard to get to the restroom in time).
This article covers what causes peeing while coughing, risks, prevention, and treatment.
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What Causes Peeing While Coughing (Stress Incontinence)?
When yourbladderis full, nerves tell your brain it’s time to urinate. Bladder muscles contract, and theurethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, relaxes, allowing urine to flow.
The pelvic floor muscles support your bladder like a hammock. When you cough, these muscles tighten to keep your urethra closed. If you need to pee, they relax to allow your bladder to empty. SUI occurs whenthese muscles weaken, making it harder to control your bladder when you cough.
While this is not an exhaustive list, risk factors for SUI include:
How Urinary Stress Incontinence Is Treated
SUI treatment depends on age, the underlying cause, severity, and preference.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy is often the first line of treatment. It helps you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, often throughKegel exercises. Kegels are when you hold and relax the muscles you use to pee. Sometimes, it can be challenging to identify the correct muscles to use, so your therapist may guide you with biofeedback.
How to Perform KegelsHere’s how to perform Kegels:Tighten, hold, and relax the muscles you use to start and stop peeing.Mix short holds (1 to 2 seconds) with longer holds (8 to 10 seconds).Repeat 8 to 12 times, at least three times a day.
How to Perform Kegels
Here’s how to perform Kegels:Tighten, hold, and relax the muscles you use to start and stop peeing.Mix short holds (1 to 2 seconds) with longer holds (8 to 10 seconds).Repeat 8 to 12 times, at least three times a day.
Here’s how to perform Kegels:
Behavioral Modification Therapy
Take your time when you pee. Don’t rush to finish, or you may not empty your bladder fully. If you sit to urinate, sit fully on the toilet seat or crouch in a full squat rather than “hovering.“Away from home, using toilet seat liners can help you sit comfortably, making it easier to relax your muscles.
After you finish peeing, wait a few seconds and try to go again to make sure your bladder is empty.
Leaning to the side or forward can help get more pee out. When you feel like you need to cough, tighten your pelvic floor muscles to help prevent leakage.
Lifestyle Changes
A person with clinical obesity is four to five times more likely to have SUI because extra weight strains pelvic muscles.Maintaining a healthy weight reduces this strain and lowers the risk of diabetes, which can make SUI worse.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist may suggest manual therapy. This hands-on technique uses gentle pressure to release tension and improve muscle function. The therapist may also teach you additional pelvic floorexercisesto increase muscle strength.
Devices
A Kegel exerciser is a soft, medical-grade silicone device that you insert into the vagina. It provides biofeedback through gaming technology and your smartphone, helping you practice the correct form.
Additional devices for SUI include:
Surgery
While surgery is often a last resort for SUI, it can be very effective at correcting underlying causes. Here are some examples:
What About Botox or Medications?Botox injectionsand medicines like Ditropan (oxybutynin) treaturgeor mixed incontinence, rather than SUI.Your healthcare provider may refer you to a urology specialist to help determine which type of incontinence you have and see if this is an option for you.
What About Botox or Medications?
Botox injectionsand medicines like Ditropan (oxybutynin) treaturgeor mixed incontinence, rather than SUI.Your healthcare provider may refer you to a urology specialist to help determine which type of incontinence you have and see if this is an option for you.
What’s the Outlook for Someone With Stress Incontinence?
SUI can be uncomfortable and isolating. Talking to your healthcare provider is important because treatments are available to help you regain control and live actively without leaks.
In the meantime, absorbent pads can help. They come in different absorbencies and styles to match your needs. Pads for SUI have leak-proof liners and odor control for extra confidence and discretion.
Can You Prevent Urinary Stress Incontinence?
Pelvic floor muscle training, including exercises like Kegels, can help prevent SUI. Consistency is critical, so some people integrate Kegels into their daily routines, like brushing their teeth or lying down at night. If you have SUI already, it may take three to six weeks to notice the results.
Once you know how to engage your pelvic floor and as it gets stronger, tightening these muscles before coughing will be easier and help you prevent leakage.Try combiningKegels with bridges or clamshellsfor added strength.
Summary
Peeing when you cough is usually from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to weak pelvic floor and bladder muscles. Pelvic floor therapy and Kegel exercises help strengthen pelvic floor muscles, increasing bladder control.
Adopting good toileting habits, such as taking time to empty the bladder fully, can also help. When preventive measures are not enough, treatments and devices are available.
In more severe cases, surgical options such as a sling or an artificial urinary sphincter may be necessary. With proper treatment, many people regain bladder control and lead active lives.
Controlling Incontinence: What Are My Treatment Options?
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kołodyńska G, Zalewski M, Rożek-Piechura K.Urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women - causes, symptoms, treatment.Prz Menopauzalny. 2019;18(1):46-50. doi:10.5114/pm.2019.84157Cho ST, Kim KH.Pelvic floor muscle exercise and training for coping with urinary incontinence.J Exerc Rehabil. 2021;17(6):379-387. doi:10.12965/jer.2142666.333Scime NV, Hetherington E, Metcalfe A, et al.Association between chronic conditions and urinary incontinence in females: a cross-sectional study using national survey data.CMAJ Open. 2022;10(2):E296-E303. doi:10.9778/cmajo.20210147.Tulokas S, Mentula M, Härkki P, et al.Stress urinary incontinence after hysterectomy: a 10-year national follow-up study.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;305(4):1089-1097. doi:10.1007/s00404-021-06378-zCastellan P, Ferretti S, Litterio G, Marchioni M, Schips L.Management of urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy: challenges and solutions.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2023;19:43-56. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S283305National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prevention of bladder control problems (urinary incontinence) & bladder health.Perrier ET, Aumont L.Pelvic floor muscle training using the Perifit device for the treatment of urinary incontinence: a pragmatic trial using real-world data.Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle).2024;5(1):250-258. doi:10.1089/whr.2023.0172Bø K, Nygaard IE.Is physical activity good or bad for the female pelvic floor? A narrative review.Sports Med. 2020;50(3):471-484. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01243-1National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Kegel exercises.Duenas-Garcia OF, Shapiro RE, Gaccione P.Safety and efficacy of a disposable vaginal device for stress urinary incontinence.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021;27(6):360-364. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000861MacDiarmid S, Glazier DB, McCrery RJ, et al.Efficacy and safety of an alternative onabotulinumtoxinA injection paradigm for refractory overactive bladder.Neurourol Urodyn. 2024;43(1):31-43. doi:10.1002/nau.25290
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kołodyńska G, Zalewski M, Rożek-Piechura K.Urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women - causes, symptoms, treatment.Prz Menopauzalny. 2019;18(1):46-50. doi:10.5114/pm.2019.84157Cho ST, Kim KH.Pelvic floor muscle exercise and training for coping with urinary incontinence.J Exerc Rehabil. 2021;17(6):379-387. doi:10.12965/jer.2142666.333Scime NV, Hetherington E, Metcalfe A, et al.Association between chronic conditions and urinary incontinence in females: a cross-sectional study using national survey data.CMAJ Open. 2022;10(2):E296-E303. doi:10.9778/cmajo.20210147.Tulokas S, Mentula M, Härkki P, et al.Stress urinary incontinence after hysterectomy: a 10-year national follow-up study.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;305(4):1089-1097. doi:10.1007/s00404-021-06378-zCastellan P, Ferretti S, Litterio G, Marchioni M, Schips L.Management of urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy: challenges and solutions.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2023;19:43-56. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S283305National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prevention of bladder control problems (urinary incontinence) & bladder health.Perrier ET, Aumont L.Pelvic floor muscle training using the Perifit device for the treatment of urinary incontinence: a pragmatic trial using real-world data.Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle).2024;5(1):250-258. doi:10.1089/whr.2023.0172Bø K, Nygaard IE.Is physical activity good or bad for the female pelvic floor? A narrative review.Sports Med. 2020;50(3):471-484. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01243-1National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Kegel exercises.Duenas-Garcia OF, Shapiro RE, Gaccione P.Safety and efficacy of a disposable vaginal device for stress urinary incontinence.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021;27(6):360-364. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000861MacDiarmid S, Glazier DB, McCrery RJ, et al.Efficacy and safety of an alternative onabotulinumtoxinA injection paradigm for refractory overactive bladder.Neurourol Urodyn. 2024;43(1):31-43. doi:10.1002/nau.25290
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kołodyńska G, Zalewski M, Rożek-Piechura K.Urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women - causes, symptoms, treatment.Prz Menopauzalny. 2019;18(1):46-50. doi:10.5114/pm.2019.84157Cho ST, Kim KH.Pelvic floor muscle exercise and training for coping with urinary incontinence.J Exerc Rehabil. 2021;17(6):379-387. doi:10.12965/jer.2142666.333Scime NV, Hetherington E, Metcalfe A, et al.Association between chronic conditions and urinary incontinence in females: a cross-sectional study using national survey data.CMAJ Open. 2022;10(2):E296-E303. doi:10.9778/cmajo.20210147.Tulokas S, Mentula M, Härkki P, et al.Stress urinary incontinence after hysterectomy: a 10-year national follow-up study.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;305(4):1089-1097. doi:10.1007/s00404-021-06378-zCastellan P, Ferretti S, Litterio G, Marchioni M, Schips L.Management of urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy: challenges and solutions.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2023;19:43-56. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S283305National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prevention of bladder control problems (urinary incontinence) & bladder health.Perrier ET, Aumont L.Pelvic floor muscle training using the Perifit device for the treatment of urinary incontinence: a pragmatic trial using real-world data.Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle).2024;5(1):250-258. doi:10.1089/whr.2023.0172Bø K, Nygaard IE.Is physical activity good or bad for the female pelvic floor? A narrative review.Sports Med. 2020;50(3):471-484. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01243-1National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Kegel exercises.Duenas-Garcia OF, Shapiro RE, Gaccione P.Safety and efficacy of a disposable vaginal device for stress urinary incontinence.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021;27(6):360-364. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000861MacDiarmid S, Glazier DB, McCrery RJ, et al.Efficacy and safety of an alternative onabotulinumtoxinA injection paradigm for refractory overactive bladder.Neurourol Urodyn. 2024;43(1):31-43. doi:10.1002/nau.25290
Kołodyńska G, Zalewski M, Rożek-Piechura K.Urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women - causes, symptoms, treatment.Prz Menopauzalny. 2019;18(1):46-50. doi:10.5114/pm.2019.84157
Cho ST, Kim KH.Pelvic floor muscle exercise and training for coping with urinary incontinence.J Exerc Rehabil. 2021;17(6):379-387. doi:10.12965/jer.2142666.333
Scime NV, Hetherington E, Metcalfe A, et al.Association between chronic conditions and urinary incontinence in females: a cross-sectional study using national survey data.CMAJ Open. 2022;10(2):E296-E303. doi:10.9778/cmajo.20210147.
Tulokas S, Mentula M, Härkki P, et al.Stress urinary incontinence after hysterectomy: a 10-year national follow-up study.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;305(4):1089-1097. doi:10.1007/s00404-021-06378-z
Castellan P, Ferretti S, Litterio G, Marchioni M, Schips L.Management of urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy: challenges and solutions.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2023;19:43-56. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S283305
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prevention of bladder control problems (urinary incontinence) & bladder health.
Perrier ET, Aumont L.Pelvic floor muscle training using the Perifit device for the treatment of urinary incontinence: a pragmatic trial using real-world data.Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle).2024;5(1):250-258. doi:10.1089/whr.2023.0172
Bø K, Nygaard IE.Is physical activity good or bad for the female pelvic floor? A narrative review.Sports Med. 2020;50(3):471-484. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01243-1
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Kegel exercises.
Duenas-Garcia OF, Shapiro RE, Gaccione P.Safety and efficacy of a disposable vaginal device for stress urinary incontinence.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021;27(6):360-364. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000861
MacDiarmid S, Glazier DB, McCrery RJ, et al.Efficacy and safety of an alternative onabotulinumtoxinA injection paradigm for refractory overactive bladder.Neurourol Urodyn. 2024;43(1):31-43. doi:10.1002/nau.25290
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