{"id":4657,"date":"2014-06-23T18:56:46","date_gmt":"2014-06-23T10:56:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=4657"},"modified":"2022-01-14T20:00:24","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T19:00:24","slug":"leaks-when-i-cough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/leaks-when-i-cough\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Leak When You Cough Or Laugh? Take Action Now!"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was medically fact-checked by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Shree Datta<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Many of us have been there; carelessly laughing with friends, when \u2018<\/span>oops!<\/span><\/i>\u2019\u2026a little leak. We\u2019ve had to excuse ourselves from the conversation and use our bag as a cover as we try to stealthily make our way to the bathroom. While this has happened to a lot of women at some point, regular leaks can often be the sign of something more serious.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Could Be Causing Leaks?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Short-term leaks could be caused by a urinary tract infection, certain medications, or even constipation. If you\u2019ve found this happening regularly over time, then you might have something called stress incontinence. This might sound a little scary, but it\u2019s the official term for the leaks of urine after coughing, sneezing, laughing, or even lifting something heavy.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Stress Incontinence?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Stress incontinence is one of the <\/span>four main types <\/span><\/a>of urinary incontinence in women. It usually occurs when our <\/span>pelvic floor muscles<\/span><\/a> are weakened. When these muscles are not as strong as they should be, they lose their ability to control the sphincter muscles. Usually, we consciously relax these muscles only when we use the toilet. When you have a weakened pelvic floor and you cough, for example, pressure is created in the abdomen that pushes down on the bladder and the pelvic floor muscles aren\u2019t strong enough to hold in the urine. That\u2019s what causes leaks.<\/span><\/p>\n