No, you aren't imagining it - your bladder really is reacting to you unlocking the front door. But how on earth does it seem to know?
This phenomenon, often nicknamed 'latchkey incontinence', happens when your bladder and brain start to associate certain cues or routines with emptying. Over time, those cues can trigger the urge automatically — even when your bladder isn’t full.
But understanding it is one thing; stopping it is quite another. Can we really retrain our bladder to stop that gotta-go feeling, and take back control?
Your brain and bladder are in constant conversation
Every time you go to the loo, the nerves between your bladder and brain fire off signals — “I’m full”, “I’m going”, “we’re done”. The brain starts to link those sensations with what’s happening around you at the time: coming home, turning on the tap, brushing your teeth.
It’s simply classic conditioning, a bit like Pavlov’s dog — except the 'bell' is your front door. When those cues repeat often enough, your brain jumps the gun, and you start to feel that urgent need to go, even though your bladder hasn’t filled yet.
Are there other examples of this type of urge incontinence?
Absolutely. It doesn't need to be your front door – your bladder could be trained to a number of linked behaviours. Here's some common ones from our community:
Running taps send you running
Washing up, running a bath, or even hearing someone else turn on a tap can trigger the urge.
"I always need to pee when a tap runs - I think it stems from my childhood, when my mother would run the tap to get us to go before a journey, or when we were poorly." – Sam
The anxiety of a long car journey
You’ve barely left the last service station and already you’re convincing yourself to stop again. That’s bladder anxiety in action — the worry about needing to go can be enough to spark the feeling.
"I can be absolutely fine, comfortable and no need to go to the loo but the minute we pass a sign that says "Services in 28 miles" my bladder thinks it's party-time!" – Davana
When cool air hits
When temperatures drop, blood vessels constrict and your kidneys produce more urine. The result? More trips to the loo, and stronger urges when you step outside.
"We went skiing last winter , but I found I was tied to the chalet because my bladder wouldn't tolerate the cold air. It became a joke between us, but actually it really ruined our winter break." – Moira
When you're already late
Stress is a powerful bladder trigger. When you’re running late or juggling too many things, your body shifts into fight-or-flight mode, which can make your bladder more reactive.
"It's guaranteed - if I'm running late for anything, my bladder becomes needy as hell. It's so inconvenient!" – Judy
There's plenty more, from putting your gym-wear on, to the moment you pull the duvet over to go to sleep. Keeping a bladder diary can help you to identify habits that trigger your bladder .
How to retrain your bladder
Fortunately, we know that these triggers are learned, not permanent — and that means you can retrain your bladder to be calmer and more reliable.
Delay, don’t deny: When the urge hits, pause for a minute before going. The signal usually fades once the brain realises it’s a false alarm.
Distract yourself: Focus on breathing, count backwards from 30, or do something small — like unpacking your bag or checking your messages — before heading to the loo.
Strengthen your pelvic floor: Regular pelvic floor exercises give you more control and help calm urgency.
Rethink “just in case” wees: Emptying your bladder too often teaches it to expect constant trips. Trust it to hold a little longer each time.
Learn what’s normal: Understanding your bladder patterns helps you spot when something changes — and when to seek advice from a healthcare professional if urgency or leaks persist.
The 'bottom' line
That sudden, overwhelming urge isn’t your bladder misbehaving — it’s just responding to years of learned cues. With a bit of patience, consistent bladder retraining, and support from Jude, you can teach it new habits that work with your life, not against it.
