Embarrassing Health Problems That Are Surprisingly Common

Hair around your nipples? Pee a little when you sneeze? You’re not the only one! (11 Photos)

Jordan Lite on Sep 14, 2010 at 12:20PM

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Embarrassing Health Problems That Are Surprisingly Common

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Sneeze and Pee



If you need to mop up more than your nose after sneezing, you may have stress incontinence, a.k.a. "exert and squirt," says Lauri Romanzi, M.D., a reconstructive pelvic surgeon and urogynecologist. (Stress incontinence differs from overactive bladder, which is characterized by the sudden urge to go.) Here's what happens: The exertion from coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising puts pressure on the weakened sphincter that normally keeps your urethra closed, and urine leaks out. While all women are at risk for stress incontinence, it’s often triggered by childbirth, though it generally goes away within six to 12 weeks of delivery, says Romanzi. Physical therapy or surgery can help.

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