INCONTINENCE
WET PANTS IN FEMALE ATHLETES -

Report #6316

A recent report in the medical journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, showed that more than 40% of elite competitive female college athletes have urinary incontinence.

Women who have has several pregnancies can expect to be incontinent/ and the more pregnancies, the more likely she is to be incontinent. This study shows that urinary incontinence is common in women who have not been pregnant, particularly young healthy female athletes. The uterus is located behind the bladder. The heavy weight of the baby during pregnancy causes the uterus to drop, taking the bladder down with it. Then the tube leading from the bladder to the outside is shortened and widened so that urine can pass more freely to the outside, and control becomes more difficult.

This study shows that hard running and jumping can cause the uterus and bladder to drop temporarily, releasing urine. If you have this problem, empty your bladder before you exercise. You're not likely to accumulate much additional urine during exercise. You can also practice Kegel exercises, in which you alternately contract and relax the vaginal muscles. Also, wear a minipad. Average loss is less than two teaspoons. If conservative measures do not help, you may need an operation in which the uterus and bladder are raised to their normal position.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News