“Laughing so hard you pee isn’t so funny anymore, ehh?”
The laws of physics tell us that pressure will always follow the path of least resistance. If you’re experiencing stress urinary incontinence—leaking urine when you cough, laugh, yell, jump, or sneeze—it could mean that your pelvic floor has become that path of least resistance.
Stress urinary incontinence can affect anyone, even if you’ve never been pregnant. However, it often begins during or after pregnancy. As your baby grows, especially in the third trimester, increased pressure on the pelvic floor and bladder can make bladder control more difficult. If you experience leakage during pregnancy, you’re more likely to continue having issues postpartum. The sooner you address it, the better, but it’s never too late to seek help! I’ve worked with women from 18 to 94, and while treatment is most effective early on, pelvic floor physical therapy can improve symptoms at any stage.
You might think, “But I can stop the leakage by crossing my legs.” While that might help in the moment, it’s a sign that your pelvic floor muscles aren’t functioning optimally. A strong and well-coordinated pelvic floor requires mobility, endurance, coordination, and strength—all of which I assess during internal vaginal evaluations. If you instinctively squeeze your legs together to prevent leakage, you’re engaging your adductors, the muscles that bring your thighs inward. These muscles share an attachment site with the pelvic floor, meaning they often work together. If your adductors are weak, your pelvic floor may overcompensate, or vice versa. Understanding these connections is key to restoring proper function and eliminating leakage for good.
If you’ve been dealing with stress urinary incontinence, know that you don’t have to just live with it or rely on crossing your legs to get by. Your pelvic floor is meant to work efficiently and support you through everyday movements without fear of leaking. With the right guidance, you can build strength, coordination, and endurance to regain control. As a pelvic health physical therapist, I assess and treat the root cause of your symptoms, helping you move with confidence again. Don’t wait until it gets worse—take the first step toward relief today. Reach out to book an appointment, and let’s get you back to feeling your best!