Urinary Incontinence in Midlife According to Weight Changes Across and After Childbearing Years

The objective was to investigate how weight change across and after the childbearing years was associated with urinary incontinence (UI) in midlife.

Data were obtained from 35,645 women responding to the Maternal Follow-up questionnaire in the Danish National Birth Cohort in 2013–2014. Outcome was self-reported UI and its subtypes. Exposures were changes in body mass index (BMI) across and after the childbearing years. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression.

At follow-up, the mean age was 44 years and 32% experienced UI. Compared with stable weight, weight gain across the childbearing years of > 1 to 3, > 3 to 5 or > 5 BMI units increased the odds of any UI by 15%, 27%, and 41% respectively. For mixed UI, the odds increased by 23%, 41%, and 68% in these groups. Weight gain after childbearing showed the same pattern, but with a higher increase in the odds of mixed UI (25%, 60%, and 95% in the respective groups). Women with any weight loss during this period had 9% lower odds of any UI than women with a stable weight.

Weight gain across and after childbearing increased the risk of UI in midlife, especially the subtype mixed UI. Weight loss after childbearing decreased the risk.