Here is a list of the main factors that can increase the risk of urine leakage. 

Smoking

Smoking has an impact on urinary incontinence. Tobacco has an adverse effect on some hormones, like estrogen. This in turn reduces the ability of the “urethral sphincter” (part of the pelvic floor muscles) to do its job, which ultimately increases the risk of urine leakage. Smoking can also cause involuntary bladder contractions and increase the urgent need to urinate. Smoking also increases the risk of developing a chronic cough, another factor that can cause urinary incontinence.

Tip: You are strongly advised to stop smoking. To quit, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist for help. You can also join a support group for quitting smoking. Peer support is often key to help you change your behaviour.


Coughing

A chronic cough, which can be caused by lung disease, smoking or other factors, can affect your bladder. When you cough, abdominal pressure increases, creating downward pressure on the bladder. This can cause stress urine leakage. If your cough is chronic, it can significantly weaken your pelvic floor muscles in the long term.

Tips: You should reduce or eliminate any factors causing your cough, such as smoking. If your cough persists for a long time, consult a doctor.

Remember to do the perineal lock, which consists of contracting your pelvic floor muscles before coughing and maintaining the contraction while you cough.           

Body weight

Women who are overweight have a higher risk of developing stress incontinence because the extra weight puts constant pressure on their bladders and pelvic floor muscles, which can stretch and weaken them.

Risk of developing urinary incontinence in adult women per BMI range:

Tips: You should lose weight and/or maintain a healthy weight, as this will relieve pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, and reduce urinary incontinence.

If you need to lose weight, start by adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly. You can also talk to a nutritionist to get a diet plan and a kinesiologist to get an exercise program adapted to your needs.

Exercise

As previously discussed, exercise is beneficial in many ways. However, some types of activities or exercises (such as running and jumping) may increase the risk of urinary incontinence. This is why it is important to focus on low- or no-impact exercises.

Tips: Here is some advice to follow when doing activities:

  • To reduce the pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and bladder, avoid holding your breath when picking something up and exhale while lifting.

  • Avoid high-risk activities such as jumping and running until your pelvic floor muscles are retrained, as the repeated impact of your organs on your pelvic floor can also weaken these muscles. Instead, try walking, cycling or swimming.