Why Do I Leak When I Jump on the Trampoline?
For many people, jumping on a trampoline is all fun and games—until the dreaded sneeze-pee moment happens mid-bounce. If you’ve ever avoided trampolines (or even coughing, sneezing, or laughing too hard) because of urinary leakage, you’re not alone. In fact, this is an incredibly common experience, particularly among women after pregnancy, childbirth, or during menopause.
What’s Happening?
Leaking urine during activities like jumping, running, sneezing, or laughing is known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The “stress” doesn’t refer to emotional stress—it means physical stress or pressure placed on the bladder.
When you jump, there is a large increase in abdominal pressure, which is transferred to the bladder. If the pressure inside the bladder is greater than the pressure in the urethra (the passageway from the bladder), leakage can occur. The pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues also play a crucial role. They need to be strong and well coordinated to keep the bladder neck and urethra closed.
Why It Happens
There are a few key reasons why this can develop:
Pregnancy and childbirth – These can stretch and weaken the pelvic floor, urethra and connective tissues.
Menopause and hormonal changes – Lower levels of estrogen can affect tissue support.
High-impact exercise – This creates large pressures on the bladder and pelvic floor. The urethra and pelvic floor must be very strong and well supported by connective tissues to withstand higher-impact activities.
Ageing – As we age, we gradually lose muscle strength and bulk throughout the body, including the pelvic floor and urethra.
Other factors – Chronic coughing, constipation, or repetitive heavy lifting can add strain over time.
The Good News
Leaking on the trampoline might be common, but it is not normal—and it is treatable. This means we shouldn’t just put up with the symptoms.
Physiotherapists who specialise in pelvic health can assess your pelvic floor and create a tailored plan that may include:
Pelvic floor muscle training – Learning how to contract, relax, and coordinate the muscles. Around 75% of women improve significantly, and 56% are cured after 12 weeks of pelvic floor muscle training.
Lifestyle strategies – Guidance around exercise, fluid intake, bowel health, and weight management.
Pessary fitting – To improve connective tissue support.
Exercise modification – Assessing how you move and perform activities. Small changes to technique and breathing can significantly affect the pressure placed on the bladder and pelvic floor.
Takeaway
If you’ve been avoiding trampolines, running, or other high-impact activities because of urinary leakage, you don’t need to suffer in silence or give up the things you enjoy. With the right guidance, you can rebuild pelvic floor strength, restore confidence, and say goodbye to bladder leaks!
If this sounds like you, click on Emma’s name below to book an appointment.