PMSL: Why leaking when you laugh is anything but funny

Laughing leaks, or stress urinary incontinence (SUI), occur when pressure on the bladder from activities like laughing, sneezing, or exercising exceeds the strength of the muscles that support the urethra. This can lead to involuntary urine leakage.

Far too often, leaks that occur when we laugh or giggle are seen as 'one of those things' and dismissed as just a minor inconvenience or a humorous "oops" moment (often, let's face it, because of the embarrassment or awkwardness associated with it). There's a societal stigma surrounding urinary incontinence, with many people associating it with ageing or weakness. Additionally, since it's often portrayed as a comedic trope in media, people may not take it seriously.

Is 'Giggle Incontinence' a real thing?

While giggle incontinence isn't a real medical term, it does accurately describe what many women experience when they laugh, giggle or 'let themselves go' in the moment. It's correct term is 'stress incontinence', and there are many triggers for this condition, including laughing, coughing, impact activity, jumping and running - to name a few.

But the impact on our self esteem can be huge and the fear of peeing yourself can make social occasions awkward and worrisome. If you feel you can't relax in company and not be worried about leaking, it's no wonder that for some of us, social anxiety can be crippling and ultimately those little 'oops' moments can turn into lonely times.

It's essential to recognise that SUI can be a sign of underlying issues such as weakened pelvic floor muscles, childbirth-related trauma to the pelvic floor, and of course, hormonal changes, especially as we get older.

It's important not to ignore leaks, even if they are happening infrequently. In fact, the earlier you seek help with any form of incontinence, the better the chances are for treatment and improvement.

What treatment options are there for 'giggle incontinence'?

The good news is that stress incontinence IS treatable - and you don't have to put up with these leaks. Treatment options will depend on the severity of the incontinence you are dealing with.

Important Conservative approaches like pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), lifestyle modifications (such as avoiding caffeine and maintaining a healthy weight), and bladder training can be effective for mild cases.

For more severe cases, medical interventions such as vaginal devices (pessaries), medication, or surgical procedures like sling surgery may be recommended. It's crucial that if you are dealing with SUI that you speak to your GP in the first instance.