Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:13 PM
Why do I feel like I have to pee when I have sex?
Q. Just recently I've begun to feel like I have to pee while
I have sex -- even when my bladder is empty. What's happening?
Were you recently pregnant? Women who have gone through
pregnancy often find that their bladder urgency increases. This occurs because
the pelvic floor muscles that support their bladders have weakened during
pregnancy, leading to a sense that they need to pee more frequently.
If you haven’t been pregnant, I recommend going to the
doctor to see if some sort of bladder infection is causing this irritating
sensation. You may need to take over-the-counter meds for cystitis or drink
regular glasses of cranberry juice. These will get the alkaline balance right
in your urine. If it’s a full-blown infection, you may need antibiotics.
It’s also important to note that people who tend to have
“athletic” sex -- sex that’s very active and vigorous -- are more prone to
bladder/urethra infections. The small germs that cause these infections can
take hold more easily when the vagina and urethra have been irritated by such
activity. You and your partner may have to be gentler during sex while you
recover from your infection.