Urinating after intercourse helps to flush bacteria out of the bladder and urethra before they can build up and cause an infection. This is most helpful when the quantity of urine is large enough to create a good stream to wash out the bladder. Smoking tobacco increases the risk of some urinary tract conditions. Tobacco smoking is also associated with atherosclerosis, including the blood vessels, that go to the kidney. This can cause high blood pressure and loss of kidney function.
Smoking tends to cause chronic coughing, which can add to problems with bladder control.
The best thing is not to start smoking in the first place. If you do smoke, quit. Excerpted from The American Medical Women's Association Women's Complete Healthbook, edited by Roselyn Payne Epps and Susan Cobb Stewart. Copyright 1995 by The Philip Lief Group, Inc., and the American Medical Women's Association. Inc. All rights reserved.