Written by Trackandmemes, April 20, 2023
I've been working out for a few years now. I run quite frequently, but lately I feel the need to pee all the time. And when this need comes, it is immediately pressing! I have to go right away...
I didn't directly think that this problem could be related to my practical sport. Until I spoke to Cédric Danniau, a sports doctor.
Who are you, Cédric Danniau?
I am a former amateur athlete, sports doctor for the past 6 years, working for the LBFA (Belgian French-speaking Athletics League) among others.
Can you identify my problem?
During regular practice of sports with impact (such as long jumps, high jumps, triple jumps, trampoline, volleyball ...) or running, we can observe an increase in shocks, and therefore the accumulation of pressure on the pelvic floor and the bladder.
In sports such as crossfit or weight lifting, it is the increased strength of the abdominal muscles that leads to an increase in pressure, either on the pelvic floor or on the bladder.
The athlete can then be confronted with two cases; in the first case, the athlete will be less able to retain urine via a weakening of the sphincter, which closes the urinary meatus. In the second case, the athlete will have the urge to urinate more often or urgently.
A distinction can therefore be made between stress urinary incontinence (loss of urine during exercise) and urge urinary incontinence (the need to pee often and quickly).
What are the different symptoms?
Symptoms can range from the discomfort of feeling like you have to pee urgently, to losing urine in your sweatpants during exercise, and even afterwards in your daily life.
Should I reduce my sports activities during treatment, or while waiting for treatment to avoid aggravation?
Stress urinary incontinence is caused by a weakness of the pelvic floor (the muscles that form a "hammock" around the anus, vagina and urethra in girls...). It is caused by a decrease in the strength ratio of the pelvic/abdominal muscles. The abdominal muscles, which are stronger due to sports, push on the pelvic floor, causing it to sag.
Initially, the athlete will be asked not to drink too much before practicing sports. We can also suggest that he wears dark clothes in order to camouflage possible urine loss and to reduce the stress generated.
Next, we will strengthen and relax the pelvic floor muscles, as stress incontinence is generally due to an imbalance of forces between the abdomen and the floor.
Biofeedback can also be used in urogenital physiotherapy. The aim is to become aware of the muscles that close the bladder outlet and to strengthen them. A calendar with urination schedules will also be proposed.
Finally, if all these treatments fail, a medical or surgical treatment can be considered.
Are there specialized practitioners to solve this kind of problem?
First of all, patients must be informed. This is done through education. The goal is to make the problem known so that it is no longer ignored. (As with this article)
Information can come from articles and podcasts, or from the medical profession.
Therapists, such as physiotherapists, midwives, general practitioners or sports physicians can demystify urinary stress incontinence and refer patients to specialists such as gynecologists, urologists or kinesiologists to find the appropriate treatment.
Is this type of problem gendered?
A big yes and a little no.
No, because men can also suffer from urinary incontinence, but it is more rare. The nicotine in tobacco increases bladder instability in both men and women. Being overweight in both men and women also increases intra-abdominal pressure.
Yes, because theanatomy of the female pelvis includes 3 orifices (anus, urinary meatus and vagina) whereas that of the man 2 orifices.
Yes, because the pregnancy is the main epidemiological factor in urinary incontinence. This means that childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor muscles.
Yes, because the loss of muscle mass of the body in general, and therefore also of the pelvic floor, is increased in women during menopause. In fact, menopause leads to a drop in estrogen in women, whereas men do not experience a drop in its male equivalent, testosterone.
This problem is not often discussed. Why do you think this is?
Symptoms related to the female intimate sphere, such as symptoms related to urine and stool loss in both girls and boys, are generally considered shameful and hidden
It's a shame, because for every problem, there is often a solution. But to know that there is a problem, you have to know that it exists and be able to talk about it!
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