Volume 30, Issue 168, February 2026

Urinary Incontinence among Female Athletes: A Review of prevalence, prevention and treatment

Janina Alicja Pohrybieniuk^1♦, Magdalena Bartold², Marta Piotraszewska³, Maria Irena Grys⁴, Filip Kochański², Karolina Wołk⁵, Aleksandra Jaskulska⁶, Jan Pietrzak⁷, Dominika Błonka⁸, Magda Skudzińska³

¹John Paul II Western Hospital, ul. Daleka 11, 05-825 Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland
²Maria Skłodowska-Curie Specialist Hospital ul. Parzęczewska 35, 95- 100 Zgierz, Poland
³Samodzielny Publiczny Zespół Zakładów Opieki Zdrowotnej w Wyszkowie, ul. Komisji 4Edukacji Narodowej 1, 07-200 Wyszków, Poland
⁴Karol Jonscher Municipal Medical Centre in Łódź, ul. Milionowa 14, 93-113 Łódź, Poland
⁵Pabianice Medical Center, ul. Jana Pawła II 68, 95-200 Pabianice, Poland
⁶Medical University of Łódź: ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź, Poland
⁷Clinic of Foundation „Swoboda" ul. Sosnowa 4, 95-015 Głowno, Poland
⁸Centralny Szpital Kliniczny: ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Janina Alicja Pohrybieniuk, John Paul II Western Hospital, ul. Daleka 11, 05-825 Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Urinary incontinence, particularly stress urinary incontinence, is prevalent in female athletes competing in high-impact sports because of pelvic floor muscle strain due to repeated pressure on the pelvic floor muscle. Many athletes do not seek help, which affects performance and quality of life. Powerful management strategies are pelvic floor muscle training and core stability exercises. Awareness and precise interventions are required to help impacted athletes. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in female athletes. We have also researched risks, quality of life, prevention, and treatment. We were looking to broaden the perspective on this issue, so we could further ensure the best possible care for our patients. Materials and methods: The studies are based on scientific articles about urinary incontinence in female athletes, published in the past five years in the PubMed database. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were established. AI was used for two reasons in this study: assisting with language patterns and enhancing written English to an academic level. It was used only to improve efficiency of the text, researchers made final interpretations and conclusions. Conclusions: There is a high incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) in female athletes, especially among high-impact athletes. High-impact sports are associated with the development of UI and considerable consequences to both physical and mental health, and athletic performance. Patient education, pelvic floor muscle training and holistic management are more effective, necessary, and overall preferred, in comparison with surgery.

Keywords: urinary incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, female athletes, pelvic floor physiotherapy, quality of life

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e22ms3773

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v30i168.e22ms3773

Published: 3 February 2026