Peeing when you sneeze is typically caused by a common condition known as stress urinary incontinence, which happens when physical activities like sneezing, coughing, or laughing put pressure on your bladder and pelvic floor muscles, resulting in urine leakage.

Why This Happens

• When you sneeze, there’s a sudden increase in abdominal pressure.
• If your pelvic floor muscles or the muscles that support the urethra are weak or stretched out, they may not be able to keep the bladder closed during this pressure boost, leading to leakage.

• Factors contributing to weakened pelvic support include pregnancy, childbirth, aging, menopause, surgery, obesity, nerve damage, or chronic coughing.

How Common Is It?

• This issue affects both men and women but is much more frequent in women, especially after childbirth and with age.

• Activities that increase abdominal pressure—like laughing, exercise, or even bending over—can all trigger similar urinary leaks if the pelvic muscles are weak.

What You Can Do

• Regular pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can help strengthen these muscles and improve control.

• Other medical treatments and, in some cases, surgery may also be recommended if the leakage is more severe.

• Addressing contributing factors like weight management, treating chronic cough, and quitting smoking can help reduce symptoms.

If this is a new or worsening symptom, or if it’s impacting daily life, a healthcare provider can help diagnose the cause and discuss solutions tailored to your needs.