[Unintended urine loss in women during sexual activities; an exploratory study]

Urinary incontinence can have a profound negative impact on female sexuality. Not only feelings of shame and loss of libido are important; complaints of urine loss during sexual activity can also exist. The prevalence of this phenomenon was examined in a study of 245 patients complaining of urinary incontinence. We also analysed the evoking moments and the impact of the complaint on the sexual relation. 20% of the patients had no partner. 66 (34%) of the remaining women reported losing urine during sexual activity. It was often experienced during pressure on the abdomen and deep vaginal penetration. Non-mechanical factors played an important part as well. Neither the history nor the urodynamic diagnosis had a clear relationship with evoking moments during intercourse. Incontinence was frequently (also) experienced during orgasm and sexual excitement. We found a strong negative effect of this complaint on the sexual lives of many women and their partners. Adequate relief of stress incontinence by colpo-suspension will also stop urine loss during intercourse.