What causes urinary incontinence when coughing?
Apr 20, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
Stress urinary incontinence during coughing may occur as women age or after multiple childbirths, when relaxation of the female reproductive organs weakens the contraction strength of the pelvic floor muscles and the control ability of the urethral sphincter. The pressure generated during coughing may then lead to urine leakage. It could also be caused by pathological conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or neurogenic bladder. It is recommended to seek medical evaluation and treatment from a gynecologist or urologist.
Coughing that causes urinary leakage may be due to physiological factors or pathological conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or neurogenic bladder. The specific analysis is as follows:
I. Physiological Causes
With aging and multiple childbirths in women, relaxation of the female genital organs can affect the strength of pelvic floor muscle contractions and the control ability of the urethral sphincter. During strenuous activities such as coughing, increased intra-abdominal pressure may lead to urinary incontinence.
II. Pathological Causes
1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
In men, an enlarged prostate can compress the bladder and urethra, weakening the function of the urethral sphincter. The increased abdominal pressure during coughing may force urine to leak out through the urethra.
2. Neurogenic Bladder
This condition results from nerve damage or neurological diseases that disrupt normal bladder function, causing either overactive bladder or bladder weakness, which may lead to urinary leakage when coughing.
Besides the above causes, bladder cancer could also be a possible reason. It is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment from gynecology or urology specialists.
