Smoking and Incontinence: How Tobacco Affects Bladder Control

Most people know smoking harms the lungs and heart, but few realise it can also affect bladder health and continence.
Research has shown that smoking is linked to a higher risk of both urinary and bowel incontinence, especially in older adults.

At Valui Healthcare, we aim to help Australians understand the hidden factors that affect bladder control, because small changes can make a big difference to comfort and confidence.

How Smoking Impacts the Bladder

Smoking introduces thousands of chemicals into the bloodstream, some of which irritate the bladder and surrounding tissues.
Over time, this can lead to:

• Chronic coughing that weakens pelvic floor muscles
• Increased bladder irritation, causing urgency and frequency
• Reduced oxygen flow to pelvic tissues, slowing repair and healing
• Higher risk of bladder infections and inflammation

The result is often stress incontinence (leakage when coughing or laughing) or urge incontinence (sudden, strong urges to urinate).

Did you know? Smokers are more than twice as likely to experience urinary leakage compared to non-smokers.

The Cough Connection

One of the main reasons smoking affects continence is through repeated coughing.
Each time you cough, you increase the pressure inside your abdomen.
Over months or years, this constant strain stretches and weakens the pelvic floor muscles, the very muscles responsible for keeping urine and faeces controlled.

This is why even long-time ex-smokers can continue to experience incontinence if their pelvic muscles haven’t been retrained.

Other Effects of Smoking on Continence

Smoking also contributes to several continence-related issues:

• Dehydration, which leads to more concentrated urine that irritates the bladder lining
• Chronic constipation, another strain on pelvic muscles
• Delayed healing after pelvic surgery or childbirth due to poor circulation
• Reduced skin health, which can worsen incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD)

Supporting Bladder Health

If you smoke, there are still many ways to protect your bladder and improve control:

 1. Strengthen the Pelvic Floor

Daily pelvic floor exercises help rebuild support for the bladder and bowel.

 2. Stay Hydrated

Drink enough water to flush toxins and reduce bladder irritation. Don’t “hold off” fluids too much.

 3. Quit Gradually

Reducing or stopping smoking can help your bladder regain balance and lessen coughing.

4. Use the Right Continence Products

Valui’s range of briefs, pull-ups, and inserts provide discreet, absorbent protection while you focus on recovery.

 5. Protect the Skin

If leakage occurs, use Valui’s barrier creams and gentle cleansers to maintain healthy skin and prevent irritation.

The Valui Commitment

At Valui Healthcare, we understand that continence care is about more than just products - it’s about wellbeing.
Our team continues to raise awareness of the everyday factors that affect continence, helping individuals take simple, achievable steps toward better bladder health.

Whether you’re working to quit smoking or simply want to protect your comfort, Valui is here to support you with care, education, and reliable protection.

Explore Valui’s full range of briefs, pull-ups, and inserts designed for reliable protection and all-day comfort - www.valui.com.au