Yes. Urinary incontinence can cause a number of sexual difficulties for women.

Many problems are tied to anxiety. “Leaking” during sexual activity is a concern of many women with urinary incontinence, especially during orgasm. They may also feel embarrassed about needing incontinence pads and worry about the smell or urine. Many women are nervous about how their partner will respond to the situation and whether the partner’s sexual experience will be diminished.

As a result, many women lose their sexual self-confidence, feeling unattractive and undesirable. The fear of leaking may make them rush through sex. They may have difficulty relaxing, not allowing themselves to “let go” and reach orgasm. Or, they might consciously avoid orgasm for fear of leaking. Anxiety can cause tenseness in the body, which may result in pain during penetration.

However, some women can alleviate these fears with a few simple strategies to manage potential urinary incontinence during sexual activity.