Urinary Incontinence and Other Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions as Underestimated Problems in People under Forty Years: What Is Their Relationship with Sport?

Abstract

Urinary incontinence is still an underestimated problem due to its anatomical complexity and social taboo. Most of the time, it is believed to affect predominantly the elderly female population, and the literature still lacks data on its presence in the younger and male populations. Its relationship with other pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) and sport activity remains an open topic. Thus, the present study surveyed 342 subjects of both genders, ranging from 18 to 39 y/o and with different sport activity levels, to understand the prevalence of PFDs (such as haemorrhoids, anal fissures, involuntary urinary/faecal leakage, and urgency). The results also showed a significative prevalence in younger, sporty, and male people. Approximately one third of the population had urinary incontinence mostly during stress activities (sport activity: 17%, cough/sneeze: 13%). The statistical analysis confirmed a higher prevalence in the cases of a light (32%) and intense (41%) sport activity level and a protective role of sport if practiced between 5 and 10 h/week, with bodybuilding/CrossFit and running seeming to be the riskiest sports. The relationship with the other PFDs showed a statistically significant dependence with most of them, confirming that urinary incontinence cannot be considered a separate problem from the other PFDs.