Why Do I Leak Urine When I Run?

Why Do I Leak Urine When I Run?

Running is one of the most common activities that triggers urine leakage in active women. This typically occurs due to stress urinary incontinence, where increased pressure during running pushes urine past the urethra if pelvic floor support is weakened.

Who Is Most Likely to Experience Leakage While Running?

Pregnancy, childbirth, and hormonal changes can increase the risk of bladder leaks during running. During pregnancy, the growing uterus and womb stretch the abdominal muscles and support tissue in the abdomen to accommodate the growing baby. This added pressure also stretches the pelvic floor muscles. When women give birth vaginally, the pelvic floor muscles stretch and lengthen to accommodate the baby’s head moving into the vagina; further weakening this muscle group. Pregnancy and childbirth also can disrupt the way the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles work together to coordinate pressure in the abdomen when a woman lifts weight or moves. If these muscles do not work together to balance pressure in the abdomen, increased pressure in the abdomen from running can be transferred to the pelvic floor and cause urine leakage.

When women experience a decrease in estrogen levels in perimenopause and menopause, the strength of the bladder, urethra, and connective tissue in the pelvic floor muscles can weaken.

All these factors can contribute to leakage when running.

Treatment Options for Active Women

Treatment may include pelvic floor physical therapy, adjustments to exercise technique, or surgical treatments for more severe symptoms.

Pelvic floor physical therapists are experts in helping women to not just strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles but coordinate these muscles group to prevent urine leakage.

When symptoms do not improve with pelvic floor therapy, surgical interventions are available.  Surgical treatments do not necessarily mean an overnight stay in the hospital and a long recovery. There are options which do not require a long recovery. A Urogynecologist can help you decide what treatment may be best for you.

You do not need to stop running because of urine leakage. There are many treatment options which can help end embarrassing urine leakage and keep you reaching your fitness goals.