Physical Activity and Urinary Incontinence in The Postpartum Period

Aim: Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as involuntary urine loss and is more common in women. Postpartum UI is defined for UI seen in the first year after childbirth. Pregnancy and birth are the most important risk factors for UI in women. The complaints of 65% of these patients begin during pregnancy and some of them continue in the postpartum period. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between level of physical activity and UI in postpartum period of physician women. Methods: This study was an online cross-sectional self-report survey. An online questionnaire was administered to physician mothers via an online social group, “Physician Mothers”. The data of 100 participants were analyzed. The questionnaire of this study consisted of three parts, namely, sociodemographic information, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results: When classified according to physical activity levels; 41 participants (41%) were not active, 57 participants (57%) were moderately active and 2 participants (2%) were very active. Thirty-eight participants (38%) had UI. There was no significant relationship between the physical activity levels and their UI of physician mothers (p =0.278), but moderate physical activity score and ICIQ-SF total score were negatively correlated (p=0.049. r= 0.198). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that the physical activity levels of physician women in the postpartum period were mostly moderate, and there was an inverse relationship between moderate physical activity levels and the presence of UI symptoms.