Peeing your pants when you sneeze

Sphincter control.

Why is that word so funny? 😆

If you recall from last week's newsletter, where I talked about my current battle with MCAS, I mentioned how I have to be extra careful these days when I start in on sneezing fits.

Sometimes I pee a little.

Sometimes a lot.

LUCKILY (I'm one more week in to confirm), I'm doing fabulously well with my current peptide protocol, and I can't even tell you how exciting my results have been to date. 🥳

However, I want to go back in time a couple years. We moved to our current home in Fall of 2020, and at the time, I felt better than I ever had since my early teens. But I started having allergic reactions that I had never experienced before, which culminated with full blown MCAS this last October.

You see, I've always prided myself on my bladder control. That pants-peeing stuff was always someone else's problem.

So I was shocked and appalled a couple of years ago to find myself peeing my pants while jumping on the trampoline with my little guy.

That never ever ever happens to me.

But then it happened again. And again.

And then this year, when I started in on the ultimate sneezing fits, I started peeing during sneezes too.

Are you freaking kidding me?!

And you may be thinking "well, Camille, you ARE getting older, aren't you?"

No. 🙅🏼‍♀️

Well, fine. Yes. BUT, I refuse to think that my body would suddenly decide to start peeing without reason just because a little more time has passed.

This has felt like sudden-onset-lack-of-pee-control.

That's a thing, right?

Guess what? I'm gonna say it is because...

Here's something crazy interesting that I just learned:

Histamine relaxes smooth muscle.

And guess what sphincters are made out of? You got it - smooth muscle.

We're talking urethral (pee sphincter), stomach (got heartburn?), bowel (thank the heavens I haven't pooped myself yet), and vaginal and pelvic floor.

You guys!! This is huge!

I know so many people that deal with several of these issues. Now, is histamine always to blame? Probably not. But I definitely think it's worth taking a look at.

☝🏻 How Histamine Affects Sphincter Tone:

1. Histamine Relaxes Smooth Muscle

Histamine acts on H1 and H2 receptors in smooth muscle. In sphincter areas, this can cause involuntary relaxation. This is why reflux, mild incontinence, and urgency can flare during histamine surges.

2. Histamine Increases Bladder Sensitivity

It can sensitize the nerves of the bladder and pelvic floor. This makes you feel like you have to go more urgently—or can lead to leaks during sneezing, jumping, or laughing.

3. Histamine Weakens Barrier Tissues Over Time

Chronic histamine release from MCAS or allergies can degrade collagen and elastin. This weakens the support structures around the sphincters, making them less resilient under pressure (literally).

✌🏻 Common Histamine-Linked Sphincter Symptoms:

Urinary: leaking when sneezing, urgency, bladder pain, frequent urination

GI/Stomach: Reflux, indigestion, feeling like acid comes up when lying down

Pelvic Floor: vaginal pressure, bladder prolapse feelings, general laxity during flares

So many things are lining up to make so much sense to me now! AND, that also means that if I can get my immune system to shape up (which it's coming along nicely), this issue should hopefully resolve itself.

Please bless it does. 🙏🏼

The one thing that has kept me trucking along throughout all the years I've experienced health issues is the hope that I can use my experience to help others.

That's my number one goal today. May you have a blessed week - with dry pants. 😘

Hugs & Smoothie Smiles,

Coach Camille

PN, SSR

P.S. I have some exciting things coming up inside The Done Right Wellness Vault! I'm working on a new course for overcoming fatigue. This is the true culmination of 27 years of my work to overcome PCOS, Hypothyroidism and Chronic Fatigue. If you want to know the second it goes live, make sure you're subscribed to my newsletter. If you already have access to The Vault, you'll be given immediate access to Overcoming Fatigue - Done Right as soon as it's ready. 👊🏻

Now I'm gonna go get my trampoline jumpin' flip on.