Am I Leaking Urine or Discharge?
How to answer the question, “Am I leaking urine or discharge?”
Bladder leakage is common and affects about 1 in 3 people. Often, it occurs due to poor strength, endurance, and or coordination between the core and pelvic muscles.
Urine leakage happens when the pelvic floor muscles, located at the bottom of the pelvis, are either weak, overactive, or subjected to excessive pressure. Just as pain can occur when another muscle is overstrained, leakage indicates that something in your body isn't functioning as it should.
Sometimes we are fully aware of when we experience leakage, while other times, it may happen without us realizing it.
Exercise is a great example of an activity in which people might not notice leakage has occurred due to being focused on the workout until they notice that their pants are wet. And some even wonder “Am I leaking urine or discharge?”
To distinguish between urine leakage and discharge, consider these factors:
Menstrual Cycle: Vaginal discharge is more common around the middle of the cycle. If it's early or late in your cycle, it may not be discharge.
AZO Test: Talking to your primary provider about taking AZO (an over the counter bladder analgesic) can help. If you leak, your urine will turn bright orange. If it's discharge, it will be clear or milky white. Don’t wear dark underwear while you test this.
Underwear Color: Wearing white or light-colored underwear can help you see the fluid's color more clearly.
Timing: Leakage typically occurs when pressure is applied to the pelvic floor, such as during coughing, sneezing, squatting, or high-impact activities. If you feel wet while sitting or standing still, it may not be urinary leakage.
Tips for if you are experiencing urinary leakage:
Sanitary pads are not suitable for incontinence. These pads are designed to absorb menstrual blood, not urine, which has different properties.
Urine flows faster than menstrual blood, and period pads don’t effectively wick moisture away, which can lead to skin irritation.
Wearing a period pad daily for urine leakage can cause discomfort and conditions like atopic dermatitis or "diaper rash," which doctors often see in women who mistake these symptoms for a yeast infection.
Incontinence pads are specifically designed to manage urine and prevent these issues, but you do not have to live with these symptoms! It is possible to decrease and even, eliminate leaking with the right exercises.
An expert pelvic floor physical therapist can help you to determine the root cause of your leakage and start you on a plan to eliminate symptoms. Remember, urinary leakage is a common symptom that should not be ignored and can lead to more serious and significant dysfunctions if not addressed.
Vaginal Discharge
Normal vaginal discharge is typically clear or milky and has a mild, non-offensive scent.
It’s also important to note that discharge can vary throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle. These changes in color and consistency are linked to ovulation and are completely natural.
The color of discharge is important to note.
Bright yellow or green discharge may indicate a problem. Similarly, thick, clumpy, or chunky discharge (resembling cottage cheese) or overly watery discharge can also signal an issue.
Other signs of infection to watch for include:
Itching, discomfort, or rash
Burning during urination
Unexplained bleeding
Foul odor
If you notice any of these changes, it’s a good idea to consult your healthcare provider to determine the cause.
How do I get help if I am experiencing urinary leakage?
If you’re looking for personalized, one-on-one sessions to address your urinary leakage or pelvic floor concerns, we provide pelvic health physical therapy services to women in the Jacksonville Beach area.
If you’re looking for providers who will listen to you and help you get to the root cause of your pelvic concerns, we’ve got you. We’re here to help you if you’re experiencing pain, heaviness, leaking, or are pregnant/postpartum and want to continue safely working out/running/lifting during your pregnancy and get back to your sport after birth.
Get started today by booking a discovery call.
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