Yes, this is a very common issue, that not only I have noticed but some of my friends as well. This is how it works: once you wear protection, your brain subconsciously stops being afraid of having an accident, what makes your bladder control much worse. You just have to decide for yourself, whether you want to have those accidents, but still fight for a better bladder control with the hope, that you can improve your quality of life or you can give up and focus on wearing pads/diapers. It's entirely up to you, but you will not improve your situation if you gonna stick to protection more than you need it.

When I’m not wearing a diaper, I have to be hyper aware of the location of the nearest bathroom and of the moment-to-moment feelings associated with the condition of my bladder; and this need for hyper awareness creates a lot of anxiety because I know that failing to get to a bathroom very quickly when an “urge” strikes can lead to visibly wet pants, puddles on the floor and damage to upholstered furniture. When I am wearing a diaper, that anxiety is relieved; and I can concentrate on doing whatever I need or want to do. I still urinate in the toilet when it is reasonably convenient to do so, but I generally end up with two or three wet diapers during the day.

I've noticed that even though I always try to make it to a toilet whether I am wearing protection or not. I tend to be much more prone to having accidents when I am protected than when I am not. I don't know if it is subconscious that I don't try as hard to hold it, or that I tend to not rush to a toilet as much as if I'm not wearing protection or what. Has anyone else noticed this?