Incontinence in Young Women
Many people think that urinary incontinence only affects older women or mothers after multiple births.
But that's not true. Even young women – even teenagers – can suffer from incontinence. And this can happen without ever having been pregnant. The good news: you are not alone. The even better news: something can be done about it.
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How common is incontinence in young women?
Studies show:
- Approximately 3% of teenage girls are affected.
- Among young women in their twenties (without births), the number increases slightly.
- Up to 50% of all adult women occasionally experience urinary leakage.
- Approximately 10% experience symptoms at least once a week.
The most common form is stress incontinence. This involves urine leakage when pressure is applied – for example, when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. Important: urinary leakage is common – but not "normal." You don't have to live with it.
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Why are athletic young women particularly affected?
Urinary leakage is more common, especially in sports that involve a lot of jumping. These include:
- Gymnastics
- Trampolining
- Athletics
- Volleyball, handball, basketball
- Dance
When jumping and changing direction quickly, strong forces act on the pelvic floor. Especially in trampolining, studies report that up to two-thirds of female athletes are affected by incontinence.
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Other causes of incontinence in young women
Intense sport is only one possible trigger. There are many other reasons:
1. Holding it in for too long
Those who frequently delay going to the toilet can disrupt the body's natural signals.
The body signals, but if you consistently ignore it, this can affect bladder control. Even very frequent "precautionary" toilet visits can make the bladder more sensitive.
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2. Urinary tract infections
With a bladder infection, urge incontinence can occur:
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Constant urge to urinate
- Sometimes, one doesn't make it to the toilet in time
If you experience these symptoms, you should have a doctor check whether an infection is present.
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3. Medications
Some medications can:
- affect bladder function
- increase the urge to urinate
- make control difficult
If symptoms occur after starting a new medication, talk to your doctor.
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4. Hormonal changes
Even in young women, hormonal fluctuations can affect the pelvic floor and mucous membranes, for example due to:
- the pill
- cycle changes
- eating disorders with low BMI
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5. Eating disorders and very low BMI
Underweight can lead to hormonal changes. This can affect the stability of the pelvic floor. Studies show that young women with eating disorders are more frequently affected.
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6. Chronic cough or straining
Asthma, allergies, or even chronic constipation permanently increase pressure in the abdominal cavity. This can put a strain on the pelvic floor structures.
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7. Psychological stress
Stress can make the bladder more sensitive and intensify urge symptoms. The connection between the nervous system and the bladder is very close.
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Is incontinence at a young age a warning sign?
Research shows that women who suffer from incontinence very early in life – for example, as competitive athletes – later have an increased risk of recurrent symptoms. This doesn't mean it "has to stay that way." But it's worth taking action early.
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What really helps?
The most extensively researched measure is pelvic floor training. Numerous studies prove that targeted training is effective for stress incontinence. Important:
- The exercises must be performed correctly
- Regularity is crucial
- In case of doubt, a specialized physiotherapist can help
- Pelvic floor therapy can also be very effectively combined with pessaries. In many cases, symptoms disappear completely or improve significantly. Talk to your physiotherapist or gynecologist.
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Conclusion
Yes, incontinence can affect young women too. No, you are not alone. And most importantly: you don't have to live with it. With the right knowledge, targeted training, and – if necessary – medical support, symptoms can usually be treated well.
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