MenoLabs News | Thu, Jan 30, 2025

Q. I can’t laugh without leaking! What can help?

Urinary leakage with a laugh, sneeze, or cough is a form of stress incontinence. It is very common and can be quite disruptive, sometimes stopping women from wanting to go out and socialize. Many women feel they just need to live with it or resort to incontinence pads, but there are treatment options!!  The primary goal for treatment is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training: a pelvic floor physical therapist works to strengthen pelvic floor muscles through targeted exercises which can improve our ability to hold the urethra closed under pressure.   A pelvic floor physical therapist are the true experts in pelvic muscle anatomy and can provide individualized pelvic floor exercises for you.

Lifestyle:  Maintaining a healthy weight can reduces pressure on the bladder. Avoiding bladder irritants like tobacco, caffeine, sugar substitutes, and alcohol can reduce bladder contractions. Also, treating constipation helps with stress incontinence by reducing additional pressure to the bladder.

Vaginal Estrogen or Vaginal DHEA: helps to support and strengthen pelvic floor muscles and urethral tone which can prevent leakage. Consult with your healthcare provider to see if this prescription is right for you.

Kegel Exercises: I couldn’t leave this one off the list. These are the popular pelvic floor exercises most women have heard of where you squeeze the muscles involved in stopping urination. It can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles when done properly. (**link to other blog being reviewed that has more detailed info about Kegel exercises)

Devices: There are devices like pessaries and inserts which help to put pressure on the urethra which can help prevent leaking. Consult with your healthcare provider to see if this prescription is right for you.

Do you have questions for Dr. Maggie? Let us know in the comments and you may get an answer in our next Dr. Maggie newsletter! Sign up for our monthly newsletter here.

The information found in this blog shall not be considered medical advice and is being provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare provider should you have any questions or concerns.