Urinary incontinence in young nulligravid women: a cross-sectional analysis

O'Halloran T, Bell RJ, Robinson PJ, Davis SR. Urinary incontinence in young nulligravid women: a cross-sectional analysis. 2012 Ann Int Med Jul 17;157(2):87-93

Most people link urinary incontinence in women to pregnancy, but there is some evidence that women who develop a problem of urinary incontinence ( UI) with/ after pregnancy may have had a problem before hand... this question however has not previously been asked.

We undertook a study of 1002 women, aged 16 to 30 years, who had never been pregnant to determine how common .UI was among healthy young women in the community. Each woman completed a detailed questionnaire that included validated questions about UI. Wellbeing, physical activity and their personal characteristics.

Results

The mean age of participants was 22.5 years. 12.6% had UI according to validated criteria.

UI was more common in women who had ever been sexually active and not using the oral contraceptive pill (21.5% affected). Women who had ever been sexually active and were using the oral contraceptive pill had a similar rate of UI as women who had never been sexually active. The women with UI had significantly lower overall well-being than women without UI, with higher levels of anxiety and depression and less positive well-being, and self-control.

Conclusion

In this study of young women who have never been pregnant, UI was associated with ever being sexually active and no oral contraceptive use, as well as lower psychological well-being. Further research is needed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for UI in young women.