Does pelvic floor muscle training improve urinary incontinence in overweight women?

This study investigated the effectiveness of pelvic muscle training to treat urinary incontinence (UI) in overweight women. Researchers suggested that this therapy improved the UI symptoms of the patients.

UI is a common condition in women of all ages. It consists of involuntary leakage of urine. This condition negatively affects the health-related quality of life of these women. Age and excess weight are risk factors for UI. 61% of these women reported to be overweight in the US.

The most recommended treatment for these patients is weight loss, exercise and pelvic muscle training. Pelvic muscle training consists of pretending the need to urinate, and then holding it. This helps strengthen the muscles under the bladder. However, so far there are no studies investigating the effectiveness of these treatments combined.

This study included information about 33 women with UI. These patients received treatment including diet, physical exercise, and pelvic muscle training. Patients were followed-up at 12 and 36 weeks by filling a questionnaire to assess their UI changes.

9 patients dropped out during the treatment. At the end of the follow-up, UI improved in the remaining patients. At 12 weeks weight was reduced by 2.6 kg and by 3.6 kg at 36 weeks. Pelvic muscle training also improved significantly.

This study concluded that weight loss and pelvic muscle exercise improved UI in overweight female patients.

This study included a very limited number of participants. Also, weight loss was modest. Further studies with a bigger population are necessary.