If you have bladder leaks, you may have heard the common wisdom that caffeine can make your troubles worse. While quite a few studies have looked at this issue, the true reasoning to avoid caffeine with bladder leaks always seemed a little opaque to us. Today, we’re going to get to the bottom of it. Because if you’re going to forgo your favorite morning mug, it’s better to have all the information, right?
What Has Caffeine in It?
To start off, let's talk about where we find caffeine. Of course you know that caffeine is in coffee and all those beloved espresso drinks, from lattes to cappuccinos (assuming they’re not made with decaf). Caffeine is also found in teas in varying levels, with the highest levels in black teas (think English Breakfast and Earl Grey) and lesser quantities in oolong and green tea varieties. Besides the usual suspects, though, you may find caffeine hiding in chocolate, certain sodas, kombucha, and even some over-the-counter medicines like Excedrin. There are different levels of caffeine in each of these common foods and beverages, and not every level will be irritating to every person.
Oh, and if you love an espresso martini? Hate to break it, but the alcohol is another known irritant for UI. Ugh, we know!
With or without bladder leaks, only you and your doctor know your personal tolerance for caffeine. Talk to a doctor about what is appropriate if you are considering limiting or eliminating your intake of this common irritant.
How Does Caffeine Affect the Urinary System?
Caffeine is a stimulant with effects throughout your body, but it specifically acts on the urinary system in a couple of ways. The first way is as a diuretic: that means caffeine has an effect on the kidneys that results in increased urine production. Caffeine also stimulates the detrusor muscle, the muscle in the bladder wall. So, how does that translate to bladder leaks?
Let’s take a closer look at the diuretic effect of caffeine, which causes increased production of urine. That means more frequent or quick filling of the bladder and more bathroom visits. It’s pretty simple: more urine means more opportunities for leaks. We’re not saying to not drink any liquids, but avoiding or limiting diuretic ingredients like caffeine might be a good idea if you struggle with leaks.
Now, let’s talk about the second effect caffeine has: detrusor muscle stimulation. In general, when the detrusor muscle fires, it creates the “gotta go” feeling that usually sends us to the bathroom. It indicates that the bladder is reaching capacity, except in overactive bladder (OAB) where an overstimulated detrusor throws up the warning flag far too early. If you have urge incontinence (which is common with overactive bladder) you may even leak a little because your bladder is in a spasm. So, if you deal with OAB or urge incontinence, it’s a good idea to not give the detrusor any more reasons to act up.
What Does Science Say About Consuming Caffeine with Bladder Leaks?
There have been quite a few studies done to try to understand whether guidance to limit caffeine actually reduces leaks, urgency, and quality of life in people with bladder leaks. Here are some of the big takeaways:
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Caffeine does exacerbate early urgency and frequency of urination in individuals with OAB symptoms.
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Women who do not exhibit symptoms of OAB or bladder leaks do not experience the same detrusor overactivity after consuming caffeine as women who do have OAB.
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In studies, the risk of increased bladder leaks appears limited to OAB/urge incontinence and not stress or mixed incontinence.
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As with anything, the dose makes the poison; several studies validated that high intake of caffeine (in excess of 300 mg per day) is associated with the most bladder leaks and frequency. Simply reducing the daily intake was found to reduce those unpleasant symptoms.
In this case, the science backs up what you’ve heard: overactive bladder and caffeine really aren’t meant for each other.
Is Caffeine Ever Good for Incontinence?
It’s a difficult question! Caffeine itself is not going to help existing overactive bladder, but one beverage that contains caffeine has been shown to improve symptoms of overactive bladder: green tea. The benefit comes from the potent antioxidant EGCG, though, not the caffeine. A study did find that high tea intake is associated with a greater incidence of wet OAB (overactive bladder with incontinence leaks).
So, while green tea has a lot of known health benefits, when it comes to helping OAB, you may want to reach for a green tea bag with a ‘decaf’ tag. That way, you can enjoy the EGCG benefits without the diuretic effect.
Here’s the bottom line: While caffeine isn’t the root cause of incontinence, it can worsen symptoms, especially if you’re dealing with overactive bladder or urge incontinence. If you’ve been struggling with urgency, frequency, or unexpected leaks, a conversation with your doctor about avoiding or llimiting caffeine can offer one small step toward relief. If you’re cutting back, keep track with our Voiding Diary to see how your bladder responds to any changes in caffeine intake. It might not be perfect, but let’s hope it’s progress. Here’s to decaf, and drier days with Attn: Grace!
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This content is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.