What the research says

What the research says:

Prevalence:

The overarching theme presented in the research is that young female athletes experience urinary incontinence frequently and that discussion of the matter is considered taboo in our current society^1,2. Female athletes with an average age of 22 years old report experiencing urinary incontinence 28.9% compared to nonathletes reporting 9.8%¹. Another study of 291 athletes reported that 51.9% of them experienced urinary incontinence³.

The sport specific breakdown: gymnastics 56%, ballet 43%, aerobics 40%, badminton 31%, volleyball 30%, athletics    25%, handball 21% and basketball 17%³.

 One very unnerving finding from a study done by Carls, is that 90% of female college and high school level athletes who were experiencing urinary incontinence told NO ONE that they were experiencing it. Furthermore, 90% also reported that they were unaware that they could seek help for this problem.

Athletes are at higher risk to develop UI, loss of gas, and sexual dysfunctions, either practicing high-impact or strong-effort activities. Thus, pelvic floor must be considered as an entity and addressed as well. Also, women involved in long-term high-impact and strengthening sports should be advised of the impact of such activities on pelvic floor function and offered preventive PFD strategies as well⁵.

 For the girls:

Clearly, this is a problem that needs to be addressed in this population. Girls- I am here to tell you that you should not feel embarrassed about this problem. This research shows that you are not the only ones experiencing it! Sorrigueta- Hernandez et al, reported that females were more likely to report experiencing UI more often after they were finished with their sport, rather than during the time they were competing.

For the professionals:

With this said, providing education and appropriate information to this population is essential. For example, getting the coaches, athletic trainers, and Primary Care Physicians involved could help break this stigma. By shedding light on this problem, and making professionals aware of pelvic health physical therapy, we can take a step toward fixing this issue.

After all, if we can provide help, why should we allow females to stay quiet about this problem?

 

1.      Sorrigueta-Hernández A, Padilla-Fernandez BY, Marquez-Sanchez MT, et al. Benefits of Physiotherapy on Urinary Incontinence in High-Performance Female Athletes. Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med. 2020;9(10):3240. Published 2020 Oct 10. doi:10.3390/jcm9103240

2.       Caylet N., Fabbro-Peray P., Marès P., Dauzat M., Prat-Pradal D., Corcos J. Prevalence and occurrence of stress urinary incontinence in elite women athletes. Can. J. Urol. 2006;13:3174–3179.

3.       Thyseen, HH et al. Urinary incontinence in elite female athletes and dancers. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2002;13(1): 15-17

4.       Carls, C. The prevalence of stress urinary incontinene in high school and college-age female athletes in the Midwest: implications for education and prevention. Urologic Nursing. 2007:27(1):21