Purpose-While LUTS and bladder behaviors are known to be associated with certain occupations, little is known about restroom access or environmental factors that may contribute to this relationship. This study aimed to characterize reasons women limit restroom use at work and to determine whether women who limit use at work report more unhealthy bladder habits and LUTS. Materials and Methods-We conducted a cross-sectional study of full-time working U.S. women. Women completed validated questionnaires recording toileting behaviors, LUTS, and perceptions of their occupational toilet environment. Women who limited restroom use at work "most" or "all of the time" were compared to those who either did not limit or did so "occasionally" or "sometimes." Results-Of the 3,062 women in the final analytic sample, 11% reported limiting restroom use at work 'most' or 'all of the time'. This group reported lower satisfaction with restroom cleanliness and privacy, in particular, and more frequently identified toilet factors of poor quality, limited accessibility, and restricted use by employer. The prevalence of unhealthy bladder habits was significantly higher among women who limited restroom use, as was the prevalence of urgency, monthly urinary incontinence, and infrequent voiding. Conclusions-In this cross-sectional study of women working full time, those who limit restroom use at work reported higher prevalence of unhealthy bladder habits and certain urinary disorders. Future studies should determine if limited restroom use at work is a modifiable risk factor for unhealthy bladder habits and bladder health outcomes.
Certain toileting behaviors, some of which may be considered unhealthy, were common in this sample of adult women, and most were associated with a perception of bladder problems. Voiding positions other than sitting were frequently used when away from home. These data have important implications for defining bladder health and for implementing behavior-based interventions for women with lower urinary tract symptoms.
Purpose of Review
This review aims to discuss the current literature addressing associations between physical activity and stress urinary incontinence in women.
Recent Findings
Multiple cross-sectional studies utilize survey questionnaires to determine prevalence of stress urinary incontinence, impact of various types and intensities of physical activity on stress urinary incontinence, and explain differences in urinary symptoms among active women.
Summary
Although there is evidence for increased rates of stress incontinence among women who are physically active, pathophysiology is not fully understood and there is a need for additional research exploring changes to the pelvic floor during exercise. Future research focusing on the mechanism in which physical activity contributes to urinary symptoms can guide development of primary preventions for stress urinary incontinence.
The majority of women with overactive bladder who had not been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome reported painful urgency and/or painful filling. Experiencing painful urgency and/or filling was associated with an increased somatic symptom burden and greater pain intensity. These findings support the hypothesis that overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome diagnoses may represent a continuum of bladder hypersensitivity.
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