The Effect of Pregnancy on Urinary Symptoms

BackgroundUrinary incontinence is a condition that causes social, medical, or hygienic problems. The increase in the incidence of stress incontinence, particularly with increasing parity, emphasizes the role of pregnancy on the etiology of incontinence and other urinary symptoms. This study aimed to estimate the effect of pregnancy on urinary incontinence and other urinary symptoms with history and urodynamic data.MethodologyThis study was conducted at Mustafa Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. A total of 72 pregnant primigravid women without any urinary problems were included in the study. Patients with severe chronic disease, neurological disorders, antepartum hemorrhage, multiple pregnancies, younger than 18, and those with physical and mental disabilities were excluded. All patients were initially evaluated in the first trimester and finally in the sixth week of the postpartum period. Demographic and obstetric data, including urological complaints and urodynamic findings, were recorded.ResultsThere were significant increases in nocturia, frequency, dysuria, urgency, and stress urinary incontinence complaints in pregnant women. Urge incontinence was not significantly different after pregnancy. In the postpartum urodynamic studies, nine (12.5%) patients with stress urinary incontinence and six (8.3%) patients with detrusor instability were detected. There was no significant difference between cesarean section and vaginal delivery regarding incontinence.ConclusionsAccording to the study findings, pregnant women who were continent before pregnancy could become incontinent after birth according to urodynamic data. However, long-term studies are needed to determine whether this incontinence is temporary. Additionally, according to our results, cesarean section should not be recommended over vaginal delivery only to prevent incontinence.