Written by: Aleeza Hanee bt Alykallam (Senior Women’s Health Physiotherapist | Vibrance)
What is Coital Incontinence?
Coital incontinence is defined as a complaint of involuntary loss of urine during sexual intercourse.
Around 20-35% of women experience this embarrassing dysfunction which also affects their confidence and self-esteem.
Left untreated, it may lead to reduced sexual desire, reduced ability to achieve an orgasm, and may even affect intimacy and relationship in long term.
Symptoms of Coital Incontinence
It is generally divided into two types:
- Incontinence (leaking urine) during penetration
- Incontinence at orgasm
Other than leaking during sexual activity, there are other symptoms you may experience if you suffer from coital incontinence:
- Bladder pain
- Stress incontinence
- Urge incontinence
- Nocturia – excessive night time urination
- Slow or reduced stream when urinating
- Abrupt urine flow stopping without the bladder being emptied
If you have experienced any of the above, you are advised to seek professional treatment early as it is easier to cure when the symptoms are less frequent and mild.
Causes of Coital Incontinence
Coital incontinence is likely to occur if you are sexually active and if you are already having some form of urinary incontinence.
[Read more about urinary incontinence here]
Research show that leaking urine during intercourse is correlated with the severity of stress incontinence and urethral incompetence or weakness.
When we already have symptoms of urine leaking in our normal daily lives, now matter how infrequent or small volume, sexual stimulation can put pressure and stress on your bladder or urethra.
When met with a weakened pelvic floor muscles, this pressure can cause stress urinary incontinence.
Coital Incontinence vs Female Ejaculation
Not to be confused with the pleasurable discharge during orgasm or arousal, Coital incontinence is physiologically distinct and much different from female ejaculation.
Female ejaculation can manifest as either female ejaculation of a small quantity of whitish secretions from the female prostate (Skene gland) or squirting of a larger amount of diluted fluids.
Coital incontinence on the other hand is simply urine that has leaked from our bladder, uncontrollably and sometimes even unbeknownst to the person until the urine smell is noticed.
Treatment for Coital Incontinence
Coital incontinence can be a highly frustrating issue in women but it is a treatable condition.
Speak to our team of experienced Women’s Health Physiotherapists, we are here to help by advising you on the specific pelvic floor treatments that will work best for you.
We specialise in helping women to cure and reverse coital incontinence issues using a combined approach combining physiotherapy rehab and sexual education and therapy.
There are a few approaches you can benefit from depending on your severity:
- Pelvic floor exercise:
Also commonly known as Kegel Exercise. This is a specific type of exercise used to strengthen the pelvic floor (muscles that surround the opening of the urethra, vagina, and rectum).
It improves the muscle strength, endurance, which results in giving you better bladder control. Other benefits include enhancing sexual sensation and improving your bowel movements.
- Sexual positions:
Our therapists (Sexologist and Pelvic Health Physiotherapists) will also be able to consult certain suitable sexual positions according to your condition to find ones that put lesser stress/pressure on your bladder.
It is better if you assume a position that you can be more in control and less likely to pressure your bladder.
- Get an ideal weight: More weight, more pressure are given to your bladder.
Want to learn more about the therapy and treatment for coital incontinence?
Chat with our experienced Pelvic Health Therapists to find out more.
