Peeing during sex: Why it happens and how to take control
Article
May 21, 2025
min read
Rachel, Pelvic Health Specialist
Sex should be about connection and pleasure. It can be a bit messy, but not in that way. If you have ever peed during sex, you are not the only one. It can feel confusing, embarrassing, or even shameful. However, it’s a common problem with pelvic health that many don’t discuss. So let’s discuss it openly, honestly, and without any judgment.
In this guide, we will explain what can cause accidental urination during intercourse. We will also help you understand how to tell if it's really pee (hint: sometimes it isn’t!). Most importantly, we will share what you can do to feel confident, dry, and in control again.
What Is Peeing During Sex?
Peeing during sex means leaking urine without meaning to. This can happen before, during, or right after sex or orgasm. It can occur with any kind of touch—vaginal, clitoral, or anal. The amount of leakage can be just a little dribble or a full release of the bladder.
This can occur:
- When penetration happens
- With clitoral stimulation
- At the peak of orgasm
- After sex is done
For some people, it happens now and then. For others, it is a regular issue that impacts their comfort, confidence, and sex life.
Is It Normal to Pee During Sex?
It’s common, but it’s not always "normal." In fact, up to 60% of women who deal with incontinence say they have leakage during sexual activity [1]. However, just because this is common does not mean you have to accept it.
Accidental urination during sex is usually a sign of an underlying pelvic floor dysfunction, such as stress incontinence or urge incontinence – and these are treatable [2].
Why Do I Pee When I Orgasm?
Orgasms make your pelvic floor muscles contract strongly. If these muscles are weak, too active, or not working together, they might misfire. This means your bladder cannot hold strong when everything else relaxes.
Common causes include:
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Tight pelvic floor muscles (this means muscles that are too tight)
- Overactive bladder (OAB)
- A history of childbirth or pelvic surgery
- Menopause and changes in hormones
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or ongoing irritation
- Nerve problems (this is less common) [3][4]
Is It Pee or Female Ejaculation?
Here's an interesting fact: sometimes what feels like "peeing" during sex is really female ejaculation, which is also called squirting. Although they are different things, it can be difficult to recognize the difference.
Peeing during sex:
- Yellow in color
- Strong smell of urine
- Often happens without control and can be embarrassing
- May feel burning if the skin is irritated
Female ejaculation:
- Clear or has a bit of a milky look
- A gentle smell or doesn't smell much at all
- Usually comes out during or just before orgasm
- Linked to strong pleasure
Lab studies suggest that squirting might have tiny amounts of urine. However, it mainly comes from the Skene's glands, located close to the urethra [5]. If you are uncertain, it is a good idea to speak with a pelvic floor specialist or have a urine test after intimacy.
Bladder Leaks During Intimacy: What It Really Means
Accidental urination during intercourse is usually linked to a bigger problem: pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that acts like a hammock. It supports the bladder, uterus, and bowel. If these muscles do not work well—whether they are too weak, too tight, or not coordinated properly—they can lead to problems such as:
- Leaks during sex
- Feeling the need to urinate often or urgently
- A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area
- Pain during penetration [6]
This dysfunction is treatable, and in many cases, reversible with the right approach.
How to Stop Peeing During Sex: Practical Tips
Before you start Kegel exercises, you should know your symptoms and what is causing them. Pelvic floor problems are different for each person. Doing the wrong exercises can actually make your situation worse [7].
Step 1: Get Assessed
Work with a pelvic health expert to find out:
- The kind of incontinence you have (stress, urge, or mixed)
- Muscle tone (is it high tone or low tone)
- How your bladder works (for example, if it is too active)
Step 2: Personalized Pelvic Floor Therapy
Once you understand what you are facing, treatment may involve:
- Specific pelvic floor exercises (not just random Kegels)
- Biofeedback training
- Breathing techniques and core coordination
- Bladder retraining
- Vaginal trainers (only if suitable) [8]
Step 3: Adjust Your Habits
Simple tweaks can make a big difference:
- Make sure to empty your bladder before being intimate.
- Stay away from things that can bother your bladder, such as caffeine or alcohol.
- Choose positions that lessen pressure on the bladder (like lying on your side).
- Try mindfulness or relaxation techniques.
What About Urinary Incontinence After Sex?
If you don’t have leaks during sex but notice some after, it might be because of:
- Tired pelvic floor muscles
- Bladder irritation caused by friction
- Not fully emptying the bladder earlier
In some rare cases, leaking urine after sex might mean there is a urethral diverticulum or interstitial cystitis [9]. If the symptoms do not stop, talk to a urogynecologist.
Can Pelvic Floor Therapy Help?
Yes, it is one of the best treatments. Research shows that pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) can lower urinary incontinence by as much as 70% in women [10].
With the right support, many women regain:
- Control over the bladder
- Confidence in sexual health
- Strength and coordination of the pelvic area
Programs like Blossom bring together guided pelvic care, biofeedback, and expert help. You can enjoy all of this right from the comfort of your home!
Menopause, Postpartum & Peeing During Sex
Postpartum
After childbirth, your pelvic floor becomes stretched and under pressure. It is especially common for postpartum women to experience leaking during sex [11].
You might also experience:
- Vaginal laxity
- Loss of sensation
- Bladder sensitivity
Menopause
Estrogen is important for keeping the pelvic tissues strong and flexible. When estrogen levels go down, many people may notice more bladder leaks during intimacy [12].
Menopausal shifts can also lead to:
- A thinner vaginal tissue
- Less lubrication
- A slower nerve response
Hormone therapy, pelvic therapy, and lifestyle support can all be helpful.
Exercises to Strengthen a Weak Bladder During Sex
Here are three therapist-approved moves:
-
Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Improves core-pelvic coordination.
- Inhale: Your belly gets bigger.
- Exhale: Gently engage your pelvic floor.
-
Bridge with Pelvic Floor Activation
- Lie on your back with your knees bent.
- Slowly lift your hips while engaging your pelvic floor muscles.
- Lower your hips back down in a controlled way.
-
Heel Slides with Core Engagement
- Slide one heel out and then back.
- Keep your pelvis stable.
- Repeat each 10 times, daily.
FAQs About Peeing During Sex
Why does sex make me pee? Sex puts more pressure on your bladder and pelvic floor. If these muscles are weak or not working together well, leaks can occur.
Is peeing during sex a sign of incontinence? Yes. It usually happens because of stress incontinence or urge incontinence. These types of incontinence might occur with physical movement or during orgasm.
Can I fix it without surgery? Sure. Many cases get better with pelvic floor therapy and changes in habits.
Should I avoid sex until it's fixed? Not unless it's painful or causing distress. Intimacy is still possible with the right strategies and communication.
You Deserve Pleasure Without Leaks
There’s no shame in peeing during sex, but there is a solution. If it's a problem that happens sometimes or has been going on for a long time, pelvic floor therapy can assist you. It can help you feel more confident, improve intimacy, and gain control.
With Blossom, you receive real help for your pelvic health. This isn’t just a group of exercises; it’s a program made just for you by experts who will give you feedback and guidance. You are not broken. You just need support that really works.
