#1: Urinary leakage is preventable

“Incontinence is not unavoidable, but can become a reality that greatly affects people’s social life and their intimate relationships. Those affected need a quality response and to feel properly supported.” This type of support requires a good understanding of constitutional risk factors such as the posture and the many reasons why it gets worse (chronic coughs, harmful practices of sports training, obstetrics, hormones, etc.).

#2: Incontinence doesn't just affect older women

“Many people believe this condition only occurs in older women, even though it is found in women as young as 13 who are active and in good health. The common misconception that links incontinence to advanced age reinforces the notion that it is taboo and an embarrassing discussion topic. This is why general practitioners, OBGYNs and midwives need to bring it up with women before they experience it themselves, and perform tests in addition to their usual exams, such as having the patient cough, testing her ability to contract and relax the perineal muscles, etc.”

#3: Urinary leakage does not necessarily mean an end to exercise

“Exercise is great for your heart, joints, muscles and overall balance. With regard to urinary leakage, it is not so much the sport or physical activity itself that causes the condition, but rather the way in which a person trains. In particular the duration, intensity and quality of such practice,” explains Reynaud. Some sports, of course, are riskier than others. For example track and field, basketball, handball, BMX, trampolining and horseback riding usually expose an existing weakness which then necessitates specific care. “It is not a question of stopping exercise but of adapting it to the characteristics of the female anatomy,” recommends Reynaud. 

#4: Strengthening the perineal muscles and other “remedies”: Be careful!

“Some active women have well-toned perineal muscles and still experience leakage. This means that the issue lies elsewhere. We also have to deal for example with intra-abdominal hypertension.” Every case of urinary incontinence has to be looked at individually – copy-paste advice is usually not very helpful. Also beware of trivialization – “as if it were normal to work out and experience leakage!” – as well as quick “tricks” shared in the locker room. They are often unsuitable and, at worst, risky, such as using tampons to avoid leakage during workouts. Proper care is the best way to be able to exercise with peace of mind.

#5: There are not only embarrassing solutions

Numerous women find it uncomfortable or even embarrassing to use pads or diapers. According to Isabelle Reynaud, the challenge is not “to reconcile everyday life, sports and bladder weakness, but to get rid of it”. The earlier the treatment starts, the more likely it is that preventive measures will suffice. These include learning which are the right reflexes, and which practices you should rather forget about, such as crunches (lifting the chest and/or legs), instructions to inhale, inflate the stomach, squeezing when urinating or waiting until the last minute to urinate.

If women wait too long to see a doctor, it can become really detrimental to their health. But Reynaud knows, “you should never admit defeat, there are always solutions” – before resorting to surgery. That’s why she gives all sorts of tips during the preventive health sports workshops set up by her association. “Doctors can also prescribe an intravaginal device, a discreet solution that mechanically reduces the risk of urine leakage and is available without a prescription.”¹

• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the inability to retain urine when laughing, coughing or sneezing.^2,3
• More than 24 millions of women in the United States are estimated to suffer from SUI, and because the disorder becomes more prevelant with age, this number is projected to increase in response to ongoing demographic changes.⁴
• It is often caused by pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, sports and other urological complications.⁵

References

^{1. Cornu J.N et al. 75NC007 device for non invasive stress urinary incontinence management in women : a randomized controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J (2012);23(12) :1727-1734.}

^{2. Wu JM, Hundley AF, Fulton RG. Forecasting the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders in US women 2010–2050. Obst Gynecol. 2009;114(6):1278–83.nn}   

^{3. Haab. F. et al. Traitement de l'incontinence urinaire d'effort par colposuspension percutanée: une technique non satisfaisante. Progrès en urologie 2001, 11:336-339}

^{4. Qaseem A, Dallas P, Forciea MA, Starkey M, Denberg TD, Shekelle P. Nonsurgical management of urinary incontinence in women: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2014;161(6):429–40. doi:10.7326/M13-2410.}

^{5. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, Griffiths D, Rosier P, Ulmsten U, et al. The standardisation of terminology in lower urinary tract function: report from the standardisation sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Urology. 2003;61(1):37–49. doi:10.1016/S0090-4295(02)02243-4.}

^{6. Cornu J.N et al. 75NC007 device for noninvasive stress urinary incontinence management in women: a randomized contol trial. International Urogynecology Journal 2012, 23 (12): 1727-34}