Is It Normal to Pee a Little When I Cough or Sneeze?
In this video, ob-gyn Jennifer Wu, MD, explains what causes women to leak urine when they cough, sneeze, or exercise.
Peeing in your pants a little, while embarrassing, is totally normal. It’s called stress incontinence when the bladder leaks urine while under increased pressure, like when you exercise, lift something heavy, sneeze, or even when you’re having sex.
Urinary leakage can occur if the urethral wall, urethral sphincter, or pelvic floor muscles are weak. While leaking urine is common — especially as people age — you don't have to just put up with it. There are a number of things that you and your doctor can do that may help. Talk to your doctor if you experience stress incontinence often, or if it's getting in the way of your daily living.
- Jennifer Wu, MDDr. Wu is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist practicing in New York City.
References
National Institute of Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Bladder control problems in women (urinary incontinence).
UpToDate. (2023). Evaluation of women with urinary incontinence.
U.S. Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. (2022). Stress urinary incontinence.