Is urinating during sex common? Actually, it is. According to EmbarrassingProblems.com, about two-thirds of women experience leakage when the penis enters the vagina. In about one-third, leakage occurs only at orgasm.
This leakage is called stress incontinence. PubMed Health defined stress incontinence as an involuntary loss of urine that occurs during physical activity, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise. That physical activity includes sex. Sexual activity can put added pressure on the abdomen which in turn can cause urine leakage.
In a SheKnows.com article, Dr. Prudence Hall of the Hall Health and Longevity Center explained why woman might release a little urine during orgasm. "The urinary bladder sits right on top of the uterus, so when it contracts during an orgasm, the bladder is also squeezed a bit, releasing some urine."
In a WebMD.com article, Beverly Whipple, PhD, RN, professor emerita at Rutgers and a sexuality researcher said the problem, whether the incontinence occurs during exercise or sex, has a common denominator.
"Stress incontinence is related to the strength of the pelvic floor muscles," Whipple said. The weaker those muscles are, the more likely you are to have symptoms of stress incontinence -- leaking urine during physical activity, such as exercise, sex, sneezing, laughing or jumping--in the absence of bladder contraction.”
There are ways to reduce leakage during sexual activity. Having strong pelvic floor muscles can do the trick. One way to get stronger is by doing Kegel exercises. These are simply holding and releasing muscles as when stopping the flow of urine. Talk with a health care provider to make sure they’re done correctly.
Other ways to stop stress incontinence during sex is to use vaginal weights while doing Kegels. Or try a pessary. Inserted in the vagina, it helps elevate the bladder neck and keep urine from leaking.
Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake. Empty the bladder and avoid fluids for an hour before sex. Certain positions like woman on top, rear entry or side intercourse help relieve incontinence during sex.
Medication can help tighten the bladder neck and urethra muscles. However this option may be better suited for women who experience urine leakage at orgasm and not during penetration.
An operation to strengthen and support the bladder neck may give some women relief. Unfortunately, EmbarrassingProblems.com said this is only successful in controlling leakage during intercourse in two-thirds of people.
Stress incontinence shouldn’t damage your sex life. Try communicating with your partner. And if urine leaking during sex is affecting your relationship, consider sex therapy or counseling.
Sources:
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/816713/5-Embarrassing-yet-common-sexual-health-issues-and-what-to-do-about-them
http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/features/sex-exercise-stress-incontinence
http://www.everydayhealth.com/incontinence/urinary-incontinence-and-sex.aspx
http://www.embarrassingproblems.com/problem/urination-during-sex
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001893/
Reviewed June 6, 2011
Edited by Alison Stanton