Condition
“I leak when I cough, laugh or exercise.”
Urinary incontinence
The short version
Leaking when you cough, laugh, run or lift is stress incontinence. Needing the loo suddenly and not always making it is urge incontinence. Many women have some of both, and the treatments are almost entirely different — which is the main thing a first appointment is for. Treatment starts with pelvic floor physiotherapy, which involves no surgery at all. You do not have to decide anything now.
See someone sooner rather than later if there is blood in your urine, if it burns or hurts to pass urine, if you are leaking constantly rather than on exertion, or if this came on over days rather than months. Those point to something other than pelvic floor weakness and need investigating.
The information on this site is general and does not replace a consultation. If you are unwell, bleeding heavily or in severe pain, contact your GP or call 111.