Can Sex Cause Urinary Incontinence in Men?

Urinary incontinence is characterized by bladder function and control changes, such as an overactive bladder, leakage from sneezing and coughing, or sudden urges to urinate when the bladder isn’t full. We’re often informed about women’s health and how female urinary incontinence develops concerning menopause or changes in estrogen levels. 

Still, less is spoken about regarding men’s urinary incontinence. This can greatly affect men’s quality of life, make it difficult for them to speak with their healthcare professional, and further distance them from possible solutions for mitigation and management.

That’s where MDP (Male Drip Protection) can help. We’re dedicated to giving men their lives back, focusing on continence, treatment and management for urinary incontinence, and options for healthcare support every step of the way. 

We’re looking deep at some of the issues that might be difficult to discuss, like urinary incontinence and your sex life and sexual health, so men can continue to make the most of life and live with agency and independence for a long time to come. 

Urinary Incontinence at a Glance

There are several types of urinary incontinence, ranging from an overactive bladder to stress urinary incontinence to urge incontinence. Understanding the different conditions and symptoms will make it easy to explore the treatment and management options available to you. It will help to reduce your risk factors on the journey toward relief.

Common symptoms of urinary incontinence include urinary leakage when sneezing, difficulty maintaining bladder control, difficulty voiding completely, or sudden urges to urinate when the bladder isn’t full. The good news is that you can follow several different treatment methods and options for training your pelvic muscles and reducing leakage before, during, and after intercourse.

Sex and Urinary Incontinence

So, does sex cause urinary incontinence? The short answer is it can. What’s most likely is that sex will trigger existing conditions and cause symptoms to appear or worsen rather than creating a condition all its own. 

Here are some reasons you may experience urine leakage during or after sex. 

Pressure for Bladder Leaks

There are several different types of urinary incontinence. Some develop or worsen when excess pressure is put on the bladder muscles. That’s why you may experience an increase or prevalence of urinary incontinence during intercourse, as certain positions and movements can contribute to increased pressure that causes leakage. 

Stress urinary incontinence causes leaks from sneezing, coughing, or other types of pressure and may be associated with urine leakage during or after intercourse. 

Potential for UTIs

Another reason men may experience urinary incontinence, especially acute urinary incontinence, is a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections are more commonly spoken about in women’s health simply because women are more likely to develop them after sexual activity.

That said, when UTIs develop in men as the result of a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease. They can cause bladder irritation and a strong urge to urinate, as with urge incontinence. It’s important to get care for UTIs as soon as they develop since they can lead to other conditions, like kidney infections, when not treated. 

Management Solutions

While coital incontinence is relatively uncommon in men, it can still happen. It’s useful to have treatment options and plans for managing urinary incontinence on hand, so you can deal with the effects if it does occur. 

Here are some ways to prepare for and manage urinary incontinence before, during, and after intercourse. 

Use Incontinence Products

Men who experience the effects of urinary incontinence may be familiar with the type of products available for managing leaks. Here at MDP, we offer one such product, designed to protect men from leaks throughout the day, with an innovative two-strap configuration that can keep up with activities and travel.

Incontinence products are useful before sexual intercourse or if intercourse triggers post-coital incontinence. If you experience leakage during intercourse, you may want to consider products like condoms or latex rings to contain any leaks, so you can keep a clear head during time spent with your partner.

Practice Lifestyle Changes

Certain types of incontinence are brought on or triggered by specific lifestyle behaviors. Your urology healthcare provider may recommend steps to reduce risk factors, like losing weight and handling chronic conditions.

In addition to long-term lifestyle changes, you want to consider your diet and remove any bladder irritants like alcohol or caffeine before engaging in intercourse. You also want to ensure you’re eating enough fiber and drinking enough water slowly throughout the day. 

Dehydration can lead to constipation, which causes further pressure on the bladder and may lead to leaks. Try to find a balance that meets your needs.

Practice Bladder Training and Pelvic Floor Strengthening

And one of the top recommendations for increased bladder control is pelvic floor strengthening, also known as Kegel exercises. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting pelvic floor exercises to ensure they are a safe choice for you.

If you get the go-ahead from your doctor, you’ll want to practice these physical therapy exercises in tandem with bladder training. Bladder training is a method of scheduling trips to the bathroom at specific intervals.

Kegel exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, increasing bladder control when you need it most. And practicing these exercises is simple. 

All you have to do is tighten the muscles used to stop urine during flow, ensuring you don’t tighten any surrounding muscle systems. You should practice these exercises several times throughout the day to strengthen your muscles so they hold up against pressure and stressors.

Bladder training works alongside Kegel exercises and pelvic floor exercises. The goal of bladder training is to delay urination until a specific time, so you’re only voiding when the bladder is full, and so you’re encouraging the bladder to hold urine for longer. 

When waiting to visit the bathroom, you can practice Kegel exercises to prevent leakage. You’ll want to increase the time between bathroom trips as your muscles get stronger. If you know that sexual intercourse will trigger incontinence symptoms, it can be helpful to schedule around intercourse, making sure you void your bladder before intimacy.

These simple practices can make a big difference in urinary incontinence, so you can focus on forging deeper relationships and engaging in intimacy without worry. 

Conclusion

Urinary incontinence can make men feel isolated and lonely, especially during moments of vulnerability, such as sexual intercourse. There are several reasons urinary incontinence may be related to intercourse and may affect sexual function, such as increased pressure on the bladder and the prevalence of UTIs following sex.

The good news is that you also have options for management and mitigation, so you can get relief from urinary incontinence when it really matters. You’ll want to consider immediate solutions, such as protective products like MDP. It’s also useful to make certain lifestyle changes at the suggestion of your healthcare professional.

In addition to weight loss, medication change, and dietary switches, you’ll want to integrate bladder muscle exercises into your day-to-day. Bladder training and Kegel exercises can help to ensure that your bladder muscles are strong enough to retain urine, so there’s a smaller chance of leaks when pressure is applied.

Our team at Male Drip Protection is here to help. We’re dedicated to removing the stigma associated with urinary incontinence in men, so you can get the relief you deserve. And we’re sharing all you need to know about causes, treatments, and management techniques you can begin trying out today.

Sources:

Urinary incontinence - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Urinary Tract Infections: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

Bladder training for urinary incontinence in adults | National Library of Medicine