Urine during sex: Causes and treatment

Your body releases fluids during intercourse. Although this is common, some people also have the urge to get up and pee during sex. For starters, you’re not alone. It is a common thing that can happen to anyone, especially those who experience urinary incontinence. It is a condition where you have trouble controlling your bladder and leak urine. This is not the only reason why you may urinate during sexual activity. It can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection that affects 50-60 percent of people in the world. Don’t worry as there are treatment options so just relax and enjoy your sex life.

What are the causes of women urinating during sex?

Urination during sex can be due to the following reasons:

1. Weak pelvic floor muscles

The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, uterus and other pelvic organs. “Weakness in these muscles, often caused by pregnancy, childbirth, aging or lack of exercise, can lead to difficulty controlling the bladder, especially during sexual activity,” says obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Chetna Jain.

2. Overactive bladder

An overactive bladder leads to a sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate. During sex, physical stimulation can sometimes trigger this urge, leading to leakage. Urge incontinence, or urge incontinence, often occurs as part of a group of symptoms called overactive bladder syndrome, according to the UK National Health Service. It is when the bladder muscle becomes very active and you feel a sudden and very strong need to pee. In such cases, urination during sex, especially when reaching orgasm, is common.

3. UTI

Urinary tract infection or UTI is a common infectious disease that many people in the world face. It affects more than 150 million people worldwide in a year, according to research published in BMC Infectious Diseases in 2023. UTI can irritate the bladder, causing frequent urges to urinate. “Physical stress from sex can trigger these urges, resulting in urine leakage,” says the expert.

4. Anatomical issues

Certain anatomical conditions can contribute to involuntary urination during sex. “One of the conditions is pelvic organ prolapse, where the bladder or uterus descends and presses on the urethra,” says the expert. It usually happens after the birth of a child.

5. Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence, a condition where the bladder cannot hold urine properly, can be the reason behind urinating during sex. This can be due to nerve damage, muscle weakness or age-related changes. About a quarter of women with at least monthly urinary incontinence may complain of urinating during sex, according to research published in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2018.

6. Sexual arousal

“Sexual arousal can trigger a reflex that mimics the urge to urinate,” says Dr. Jain. Increased blood flow and increased sensitivity in the pelvic area can trigger this reflex, leading to leakage of urine during sexual activity.

Is it urine or female ejaculation?

It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between urine and female ejaculation, as both can occur during sexual arousal or activity. Here’s how you can tell the difference between urine and female ejaculation:

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1. Location and source

• Urine: Urine is expelled from the bladder and exits the body through the urethra.
• Female ejaculation: It is a release of fluid from Skene’s glands (sometimes called the female prostate), which are near the urethra but distinct from the bladder. A 2017 study, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicineshowed that 69.23 percent of women ejaculate during sexual arousal.

2. Liquid appearance

• Urine: Urine is typically light yellow in color due to the presence of urobilin, a pigment formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin.
• Female ejaculation: The fluid released during female ejaculation is usually clear, colorless or slightly cloudy.

3. Amount of liquid

• Urine: The amount of urine released during sexual activity is usually a small to moderate amount. It is generally expelled in a steady stream rather than a sudden breath.
• Female ejaculation: The amount of fluid from female ejaculation can vary greatly. Some women experience a small amount, while others release a more significant amount, which may appear as a “gush” or “flow”.

How to stop peeing during sex?

To stop urinating during sex, you need to get treatment if there are underlying problems. However, there are a few things you can do to avoid this:

1. Pelvic floor exercises

“Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, are one of the most effective ways to strengthen the muscles that control the bladder,” says the expert. These exercises help improve muscle tone, reduce the risk of leakage and increase control of urinary function.

2. Bladder training

Bladder training helps them regain control of their bladder by gradually increasing the time between trips to the bathroom. This helps reduce the urge to urinate during activities such as sex. All you have to do is monitor your bathroom habits and gradually increase the time between bathroom visits by 15 minute intervals. Over time, try to hold back the urge to urinate for longer periods, training your bladder to hold longer.

3. Pessary for pelvic organ prolapse

If pelvic organ prolapse is causing urinary incontinence or leakage during intercourse, the pessary can provide relief by holding the bladder and other pelvic organs in place. “It is a medical device that is inserted into the vagina by a doctor to support the pelvic organs,” says the expert.

4. Pharmaceutical treatment

If you urinate during sex because of an overactive bladder or urge incontinence, medications that relax the bladder muscles and control the frequency of urges may be prescribed. “Anticholinergics and beta-3 agonists are often prescribed to control symptoms of overactive bladder,” says the expert.

5. Treatment of constipation

Chronic constipation can contribute to stress on the muscles of the bladder and pelvic floor, which can lead to leakage of urine during sex. “Treating constipation can reduce this pressure and reduce symptoms,” says the expert. Eat a high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and stay hydrated.

6. Surgery

In more severe cases of urinary incontinence, particularly when caused by bladder prolapse or pelvic floor damage, surgical interventions may be required. Bladder sling surgery, in which mesh is placed around the bladder neck, may be recommended. It is to support the bladder and prevent urination during sex.

7. Treatment of infections

Urinary tract infections can cause irritation and an urgent need to urinate during sex. Get a doctor’s prescription for antibiotics if a UTI is diagnosed. “Drink plenty of water and practice good hygiene to prevent recurrent UTIs. Supplements or cranberry juices may help prevent urinary tract infections, although it is important to consult a doctor first,” says the expert.

Urinating during sex may not always be related to sexual arousal. It could be a sign of urinary incontinence or an infection that needs medical attention.