What causes leaking urine?

Stress urinary incontinence causes leaks when coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or exercising increases pressure on the bladder. Urgency leakage happens when a sudden, difficult-to-delay need to urinate is followed by a leak; an Overactive Bladder can drive this pattern. Mixed leakage combines stress and urgency features.

Pregnancy, vaginal birth, pelvic surgery and hormonal changes can affect pelvic floor muscles and the support around the urethra. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction may involve muscles that are weak, poorly coordinated or too tense. A Pelvic Organ Prolapse can change bladder emptying and cause leakage or a feeling of pressure. Burning, frequency and cloudy urine may point to infection.

Keep a short bladder diary with drinks, toilet visits, urgency, activities and leakage. Do not sharply restrict fluids; concentrated urine can irritate the bladder. A clinician or pelvic health physiotherapist can assess technique, muscle control and the leakage pattern. Postnatal Physiotherapy may help when symptoms follow pregnancy or birth.

Treatment is tailored to the cause. Bladder Training can help urgency by gradually changing toilet habits. If stress leakage continues despite conservative care, a clinician may discuss options such as a Mid-Urethral Sling, including expected benefits and risks.

Arrange an assessment for new, persistent or worsening leakage, trouble emptying the bladder, recurrent infections or a vaginal bulge. Seek urgent help for inability to pass urine, blood in the urine with severe pain, fever with flank pain, new leg weakness or loss of bowel control.

Ask which leakage pattern fits your symptoms, whether a urine test or pelvic examination is needed, and how pelvic floor treatment should be performed. Discuss bladder diary findings, pregnancy history and when a surgical opinion would be appropriate.