After your periods end, your body stops making the female hormone estrogen. Some scientists believe that estrogen may help keep the lining of the bladder and urethra (yoo-REE-thrah) plump and healthy. They think that lack of estrogen may contribute to weakness of the bladder control muscles.
Pressure from coughing, sneezing, or lifting can push urine through the weakened muscle. This kind of leakage is called stress incontinence. It is one of the most common kinds of bladder control problems in post-menopausal women.
If this is a problem for you, talk to your doctor. Medicines and exercises may help many women restore bladder control.⁴