Can Anxiety Cause Bladder Leakage

What Are Some Of The Most Common Reasons Why A Woman May Develop Incontinence

Its common for women to develop incontinence after childbirth and as they age after menopause.

During childbirth, the muscles can become weakened and injured. In particular, experiencing an operative vaginal delivery like a vacuum or forceps assisted delivery, can lead to muscle damage. This weakening can make it harder to contract the urethra and stop the flow of urine.

With menopause, its common for women to experience vaginal atrophy, or a thinning and weakening of the vaginal tissue, due to fluctuating hormone levels. A drop in estrogen can cause a shortening of the vaginal canal, a shortening of the urethra, and a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, making loss of bladder control more common.

The Good News: There Are Ways To Manage It

Needless to say, the last thing you want to be worried about when youre well, worried, is trying to find a toilet. Anxiety is disruptive and distracting enough without having to think about your bladder, too.

If it happens once in a while, for example before a job interview or going on a blind date, the level of disruption can be minimal. If it is happening more frequently, it may be worth thinking through your overall stress levels, said Jessy Warner-Cohen, a health psychologist at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York.

The good news is that there are some strategies you can take up to try to tame your bladder. Many mental health professionals recommend practicing cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to help manage anxiety and thus, your bladder on a more regular basis. CBT can also help people understand that frequent urination is simply a byproduct of their anxiety and also that they probably dont have to pee as much as they think they do, Nadkarni explained.

According to Warner-Cohen, practicing mindfulness techniques can also help. Recognize that the sensations you are feeling are typical and you are actually safe, Warner-Cohen said. Engage in belly breathing, slow breaths in and out, and focus on your breathing instead of whatever else is happening.

Urinary Incontinence In Men

Bladder leakage in men can be caused by a birth defect of the urinary tract.

Men also have the risk of contracting urinary incontinence with a history of prostate cancer. The treatment from radiation and medication may result in temporary or permanent bladder leakage.

An enlarged prostate without cancer cells may lead to a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. This condition causes the prostate to expand and apply pressure to the urethra, resulting in the walls of the bladder also expanding and thickening. Over time, the bladder weakens and retains some volume after urination.

Don’t Miss: How Long Is Bladder Surgery

Bladder Incontinence In Women

Bladder incontinence is more common in women than in men. Other than the possible causes listed above, some things that may increase risk of bladder incontinence in women are:

• Changes to urinary or vaginal tissue from hormone therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy
• Hormonal changes from menopause
• Pelvic prolapse – the bladder, uterus, and or rectum may slip backward or downward into the vaginal canal because of weak pelvic wall muscles
• Pregnancy
• Hysterectomy

Why Anxiety Contributes To Bladder Leaks

For most people, leaking is rooted in a physiological cause, like an imbalance in the pelvic floor muscles. Lindsey explains that anxious leakingwhen your anxiety makes leaks more frequentreally boils down to shock absorption. When your anxiety levels spike, its a pretty natural response to tighten your body and clench your muscles, including the ones in your pelvic floor. But clenching your pelvic floor is kind of like locking your knees on a bus or a train and thinking your fixed position will help you stay standing during all the bumps and turns. The reality is that a relaxed body helps you absorb the shock of the ride, so you can bend and sway as needed to stay upright.

When your pelvic muscles are too taught, they cant adequately respond to everyday movements like going from sit to stand, jumping, or walking across a room. Still, for most people, clenching your pelvic floor muscles is totally subconscious. It can take time to get in touch with your body and your coping mechanisms for anxiety, but there are actionable ways to start unpacking leak anxiety:

Recommended Reading: How To Fix Bladder Leakage After Pregnancy

Living With Bowel Or Bladder Incontinence

There is no single, right way to cope with bladder or bowel incontinence. The challenge is to find what is best for your situation, so you can get the help you need and return to a normal daily life. Talk with your health care team if you notice a change in bowel or bladder habits, and about the best ways to manage incontinence, if it is a problem. You might find it helpful to talk with other people who are dealing with incontinence, too. Ask a member of your cancer care team about support groups in your area.

Here are some things you can do that may help make incontinence less of a problem:

• Empty your bladder every 3 to 4 hours while awake, to avoid accidents.
• Empty your bladder before bedtime or before strenuous activity.
• Limit drinks with caffeine, or and avoid alcohol and citrus juices, which can irritate the bladder and make you have to go more often.
• Avoid hygiene products that may irritate you Women should avoid feminine spray or over-the-counter vaginal suppositories.
• Because belly fat can push on the bladder, avoiding weight gain or losing needed weight sometimes helps improve bladder control.
• Avoid tobacco use which can cause coughing and bladder irritation due to harmful substances in tobacco products.
• Talk to your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements youre taking. Some may affect urine control.

Behavioral And Lifestyle Changes For Bladder Leakage Treatment

Bladder leakage treatment is based on the underlying cause and type of urine incontinence. Both men and women may face similar challenges within the treatment plan that may include urgency suppression, bladder training, and lifestyle changes.

A treatment plan usually begins with behavioral and lifestyle changes such as exercises for leaky bladder. Medications may be required alongside behavioral tasks to reduce muscle spasms or health conditions such as prostate enlargement. In severe cases, surgical procedures may be necessary.

You May Like: Will Overactive Bladder Go Away

Tips For Managing Enuresis

• Remember, your child cant control the problem without help. Make sure not to scold or blame. Make sure your child is not teased by family or friends.

• Keep in mind that many children outgrow enuresis.

• Protect your childs mattress bed with a fitted plastic sheet.

• Have a change of clothes on hand while out and about.

Seek Treatment For Oab Symptoms

Many people believe that bladder leaks are a normal and inevitable part of aging. However, although urinary incontinence and OAB are common, people do not just have to deal with them. Various treatment options are available to help manage or prevent the symptoms of OAB, including:

• lifestyle and dietary changes
• pelvic floor exercises
• medications and surgery

A 2019 study found that women who received medical treatment for OAB symptoms also experienced improvements in their anxiety and depression symptom scores.

Read Also: How Long Should A Bladder Infection Last

Can Anxiety Cause Urinary Incontinence

Incontinence. Just the word alone evokes feelings of anxiety. Those who suffer and their friends and family can attest to the mental stress associated with this uncomfortable and often embarrassing condition.That said, can anxiety be the cause of your incontinence? Or, does urinary incontinence simply cause stress? Honestly, this question is kind of like which came first, the chicken or the egg? At best, its confusing.First, it is important to point out that incontinence is often a symptom of another issue. Its causes are broad-based and can include, but are not limited to, obesity, smoking, weak muscles, and a variety of illnesses including prostate cancer, infections, and diabetes. It can also be the result of aging – sometimes those who are elderly simply cannot move quickly enough to reach a restroom in a timely manner. If you suffer from incontinence, your first step should be a visit to your physician to help identify the underlying cause of your issue.Understanding this, anxiety and incontinence often go hand in hand. And, they aggravate each other. In some cases, anxiety can be the cause of your incontinence. In fact, some people actually suffer from uncontrollable urination and leaks when they become stressed. Its like their bodies lose the ability to control themselves.

What Are The Symptoms Of Stress Incontinence

The main symptom of stress incontinence is a leakage of urine at times of physical movement or activity. Examples of the kinds of activities associated with urine leaking include laughing, coughing, lifting, or exercise. The leakage may be as little as a drop or two, or may be a “squirt,” or even a stream of urine.

Also Check: How To Take Care Of A Bladder Infection At Home

What Exams And Tests Assess And Diagnose Frequent Urination

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and will ask you questions about your medical history and medications you may be taking.

Your doctor may ask the following questions:

• How many times in the day and night are you urinating?
• Are there changes in the color of your urine? Do you have light or dark urine?
• Do you have frequent pain, discomfort or a burning sensation while urinating?
• Have you made any recent dietary changes?
• Do you have other symptoms ?

Your doctor may order any of the following tests, depending on the findings of the physical exam and medical history.

• and urine culture: These tests detect and measure various components of the urine. A urine culture can detect bacteria that may be the cause of a urinary tract infection .
• : This noninvasive imaging test is used to visualize your kidneys and bladder to detect any structural abnormalities or tumors.
• Cystometry: This test measures the pressure inside the bladder and checks for the possibility of muscle or nerve problems that may cause frequent urination.
• : This is an invasive test that allows a doctor to look at the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted instrument called a cystoscope.
• Neurological tests: Diagnostic tests such as urodynamics, imaging, , and are procedures that help the doctor confirm or rule out the presence of a nerve disorder.

Can Anxiety Cause Incontinence

Weve established that its not uncommon for anxiety and overactive bladder to occur together . But what about incontinence and OAB? Can anxiety cause you to lose control over your bladder? Yes but its rare. This would happen if you experience peak anxiety that puts you deep into fight-or-flight mode. At that point, your limbic system takes over. When the anxiety reaches its peak, your limbic system might decide its unable to support all your necessary functions and shut down the area that controls your bladder triggering temporary incontinence.

Incontinence triggered by extreme anxiety is more common in people with severe phobias. In rarer cases, it can happen to those suffering from panic disorder and PTSD.

Also Check: Recurrent Bladder Infections And Cancer

How To Stop Frequent Urination In Men

The treatment of frequent urination depends upon the reason behind it. Your healthcare provider will aim to manage or treat the underlying cause leading to urinary symptoms.

If you are passing urine frequently due to diabetes, your doctor will offer effective management of your blood sugar levels. If the same is caused due to an infection such as UTI, then you will be offered certain medications to treat the bacterial infection.

Along with medication, your healthcare provider will help you regain bladder control through training and exercises. There are different forms of bladder training techniques used by doctors to control the constant urge to urinate male.

• Kegel exercises: Kegel exercises are helpful in strengthening the muscles below the bladder and control urination.
• Bladder training: Your healthcare provider will assist you to train your bladder and control urination for longer than usual.

Does Anxiety Cause An Overactive Bladder

If you need to know can anxiety cause overactive bladder? The answer is yes. Many people experience it. Sometimes it happens only for a short period which is no cause for concern. But for those who experience it long term, it is a cause for worry.

Since there can be other causes too like UTI, there is a need to get an examination done by a physician to determine the cause. Waiting for long before consulting the doctor might do more harm.

Those feeling the need to pee before getting on to the stage to speak in front of 1000 people should take heart in the fact that they arent the only ones. If it happens on almost all occasions, get medical tests were done, and if all turns out negative, then anxiety could be the plausible reason.

Since no two lives are same, each person may have a different cause for anxiety and depression or worry. Hence, speak with someone knowledgeable in the matter and decide the best course of action. Since frequent urination is troublesome if you are a student or a working professional, seek professional help on time.

Also Check: Doterra Oils For Bladder Infection

Uncontrollable Urination: A Rare Anxiety Symptom

Many people struggle with feeling as though they need to urinate when they have anxiety. Luckily, even when this occurs, it is still controllable. It’s a standard part of anxiety and anxiety attacks.

But when anxiety reaches its absolute peak, some people experience a loss of bladder control, also known as “incontinence.” It’s one of the most distressing and embarrassing anxiety symptoms, and if it ever happens to you, it becomes something you fear for possibly the rest of your life.

The Impact Of Stress On The Gi Tract

If you havent heard the phrase I was so scared, I almost peed myself, maybe you have heard I was so scared, I almost pooped myself. Your ability to hold in urine and feces is controlled by the same muscles so it makes sense that theyd behave the same way under stress. Its true that stress and anxiety can cause diarrhea so we know that our bowels are impacted by stress.

Looking at studies of IBS patients, too, the connection between bowel health and mental health is clear. About 60% of IBS patients have generalized anxiety disorder. Another 20% have depression. Thats a pretty significant overlap.

Read Also: Over The Counter Bladder Medication

Facts On Mental Health

• At present around 1 in 4 people suffer from some kind of mental health condition

• 1 in 6 people will experience some form of mental health condition in any given week

• 84% people believe it is now more socially acceptable to discuss mental health compared to five years ago

• HOWEVERonly around 34 per cent of people have sought help from a psychotherapist or counsellor in the UK

Kathryn Kinmond, a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, said:

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their life. For some people this just means a general uneasy feeling or minor worry but for others anxiety can feel overwhelming and even debilitating. Knowing what causes or triggers anxiety can often help us start to manage such feelings as we can then start to put in place strategies and techniques.

Kathryn Kinmond, BACP member

How Is Enuresis Diagnosed

Your childs health care provider will ask about your childs medical history. Make sure to tell the health care provider:

• If other members of the family have had enuresis

• How often your child urinates during the day

• How much your child drinks in the evening

• If your child has symptoms such as pain or burning when urinating

• If the urine is dark or cloudy or has blood in it

• If your child is constipated

• If your child has had recent stress in his or her life

The health care provider may give your child a physical exam. Your child may also need tests, such as urine tests or blood tests. These are done to look for a medical problem, such as an infection or diabetes.

Read Also: New Treatments For Neurogenic Bladder

Causes Of Frequent Urination

Your bladder naturally loses elasticity as you get older, which can lead to an increased need to urinate. Apart from this, other common causes of frequent urination include anxiety, the use of diuretics, drinking too much liquid, or drinking too much alcohol or caffeine.

In addition to this, there are other serious causes of frequent urination. A number of conditions are associated with frequent or urgent urination that requires medical attention.

Diabetes: When your body needs to eliminate excess blood glucose, it causes excessive and frequent urination. The urgent need to urinate will also be accompanied by excessive thirst and hunger.

Enlarged prostate: When the prostate gland becomes enlarged. The displaced size puts extra pressure on the bladder, causing more frequent needs to urinate.

Overactive bladder: An overactive bladder usually results from another condition, such as diabetes or prostate cancer.

Urinary tract infection: UTIs are the most common cause of frequent urination, and these are caused by a bacterial infection anywhere along the urinary tract. The inflammation caused by the infection increases pressure and irritation in the area, causing an urgency to go to the bathroom.

Stroke: It is common for stroke survivors to experience poor bladder control, and a commonly reported symptom is frequent urination or incontinence.

The Unseen Troubles Of Oab

If you suffer from overactive bladder, you may worry about having an accident while in public. You may feel like you can no longer travel, exercise, or enjoy the activities you once did. You also may feel less attractive and worry about how your condition will affect your sex life.

All of these worries can contribute to overall feelings of stress and anxiety. Fortunately, you can take steps to manage your symptoms and your emotions so you can get back to being yourself.

Even if youre embarrassed about your symptoms, its important to see your doctor. A number of treatments are available to help you regain control. Certain lifestyle modifications can limit the strong urge to go, such as:

• dietary changes
• bladder training
• pelvic exercises

Medications may also be helpful. They work by blocking certain nerve impulses to help relax the bladder muscle, making it easier to resist urges. Your doctor can help you determine the best treatment for you.

Don’t Miss: How Can I Relax My Bladder Naturally