Running to pee after getting home? Here’s why

Do you find yourself needing to pee right after getting home, even if you went just before you left?

This phenomenon is referred to as latchkey incontinence. Arriving home is a situational cue that triggers the urge to pee. The more you respond to the cue, the stronger the association becomes which creates a behavioral pattern.

“Latchkey incontinence can happen to anyone, particularly in those who already have an overactive bladder or urinary urgency incontinence,” explains Dr. Jonathan Kiechle, a urologist at Aurora Health Care. “Your brain controls your bladder, telling it when and when not to empty itself. For example, your brain knows there isn’t a bathroom available on a long road trip, so it holds off on sending messages to urinate until there’s one closer. Arriving at your destination can signal it’s time to relieve yourself.”

Dr. Kiechle adds we often associate home with comfort and safety, making it easier for the bladder to relax. “Individuals with paruresis, or shy bladder syndrome, struggle to urinate in a public restroom or when others are around. If they hold their urine all day, the urge becomes that much stronger once they get home,” he says.

Latchkey incontinence usually isn’t a cause for concern.

“Fortunately, it can be unlearned,” Dr. Kiechle says. “If you find yourself feeling the urge to urinate as you approach home, try using distraction, such as singing a song or playing a game, to disassociate the cue of arriving home with going to the bathroom.”

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control, causing accidental leaks. There are several types of incontinence, ranging from temporary, often due to medications or a treatable medical condition, to persistent, caused by underlying physical conditions or changes.

The most common causes of temporary incontinence include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Constipation
• Heart and blood pressure medications, sedatives and muscle relaxers
• Drinks, such as alcohol, caffeinated or carbonated beverages
• Foods high in spice, sugar or acid
• Artificial sweetener
• Chocolate
• Chili peppers

“If urine leakage is preventing you from doing your daily activities, see a urologist. They will help determine the best treatment option,” Dr. Kiechle says.

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