Assessment of urinary symptoms in early pregnancy

Overactive Bladder in Late Pregnancy to 1 Year After First Vaginal Delivery

IMPORTANCE

Understanding overactive bladder (OAB) during pregnancy and postpartum may increase our knowledge of pathophysiology.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to understand the prevalence and severity of OAB during pregnancy through 1 year postpartum as well as the associated factors.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study evaluating primiparous women with a singleton term vaginal delivery assessed at the third trimester, 8 weeks postpartum, and 1 year postpartum. Overactive bladder was defined as urinary urgency plus nocturia or frequency, or urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). Overactive bladder severity was defined using average visual analog scores (0-100) from OAB symptoms on the Epidemiology of Prolapse and Incontinence Questionnaire. We evaluated associations with OAB at each time point using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 579 participants, mean age was 29 years. Overactive bladder prevalence was higher at 8 weeks postpartum (23%) than at the third trimester (18%, P = 0.03) and 1 year postpartum (19%, P = 0.03). Overactive bladder severity was higher at the third trimester (42.2) than at 8 weeks postpartum (23.3, P = 0.008), but not at 1 year postpartum (29.1, P = 0.1). In those with OAB, UUI severity was higher at 1 year postpartum compared with that at the third trimester ( P = 0.02). Younger age was associated with third trimester OAB. At 8 weeks postpartum, OAB was associated with older age, urinary tract infection after delivery, birth weight ≥3,500 g, and third trimester OAB. At 1 year postpartum, OAB was associated with birth weight ≥3,500 g and third trimester OAB.

CONCLUSIONS

Overactive bladder affects 1 in 5 primiparous women during pregnancy or after vaginal delivery. The increased severity of UUI postpartum and the association between higher birth weight and OAB postpartum suggest an effect of delivery.

The Effect of Pregnancy on Urinary Symptoms

Background Urinary 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. Methodology This 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. Results There 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. Conclusions According 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.

Urogynecological symptoms of the retroverted gravid uterus in the first half of the pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study of an underestimated, underdiagnosed and underreported issue

Background/Aim: Urogynecological symptoms, including pelvic pain, lower backache, feeling of bearing down, frequency, nocturia, urgency, stress incontinence, and urge incontinence, are common during pregnancy. But little has been reported regarding possible changes in lower urogenital tract anatomy and its effects in pregnancy. Therefore, the subject of this study is whether the incidence of urogynecological symptoms is higher when the uterus is retroverted in pregnancy. Methods: We enrolled 1432 pregnant women examined before the 20th week of pregnancy between January 2018 and March 2022. Patients were allocated into two groups according to whether the uterus was retroverted (n=226 (15.7%)) or anteverted (n=1206 (84.3%)). These two groups were compared regarding pelvic pain, lower backache, the feeling of bearing down, frequency, nocturia, urgency, stress incontinence, and urge incontinence. Results: Retroverted gravid uterus was noted in 11.8% (n=41) of nulliparae and 17% (n=185) of multiparae (P=0.021), with an overall prevalence of 15.7%. Of 1432 patients, the overall prevalence for frequency, urgency, nocturia, urge incontinence, stress incontinence, lower backache, pelvic pain, and feeling of bearing down were 31%, 26.7%, 18.2%, 5.4%, 7.5%, 6.9%, 56.4% and 7.5%, respectively. Between both groups, there were differences in frequency, urgency, nocturia and lower back pain. There were two patients with incarcerated gravid uterus with urinary retention. Conclusion: Patients with a retroverted uterus are more likely to experience the symptoms of lower back pain, frequency, nocturia, and urgency in the first half of pregnancy.

Is age of menarche related to urinary symptoms in young Jordanian girls? A prospective cross-sectional study

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Comparison of low urinary tract symptoms during pregnancy between primiparous and multiparous women

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a common problem during pregnancy. This study aimed to compare changes in the prevalence of LUTS during pregnancy between primiparous and multiparous women.

METHODS

A chart review of consecutive pregnant women who attended our antenatal clinic from March 2002 to January 2006 was performed. All of the women were asked to respond to a LUTS questionnaire in either of the three trimesters.

RESULTS

Of the 270 women included, 164 were nullipara and 106 were multipara. The most common LUTS during pregnancy were frequency (77%), followed by nocturia (75.6%), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) (51.1%), incomplete emptying (43.7%), dysuria (17.8%), and urgency incontinence (10.4%). There was a significantly higher prevalence of SUI (P<0.001) and urgency incontinence (P=0.005) in the multiparous compared to the nulliparous women. Increasing prevalence rates of frequency, nocturia, SUI, and incomplete emptying were reported with gestational age in both the nulliparous and multiparous women.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequency and nocturia were the two most common LUTS during pregnancy. The prevalence rates of all LUTS increased with increasing gestational age except for frequency in the nulliparous women during the second trimester. In addition, multipara was a predictor of SUI during pregnancy.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in primiparous women before and during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), in particular urinary incontinence (UI), commonly develops during pregnancy or following delivery. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of the LUTS before and during pregnancy, and to demonstrate the relationships between various obstetric parameters and UI.

METHODS

For this observational study, 1,501 consecutive primiparae who delivered at ≥ 36 gestational weeks were recruited in a tertiary hospital. A urogynecological questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of LUTS before and during pregnancy. The relationships between various obstetric parameters and UI were analyzed.

RESULTS

Prevalence of LUTS increased over the course of pregnancy. The most commonly reported LUTS symptoms, regardless of pregnancy trimester, were nocturia (51.1%) and frequency (40.3%), UI (37.5%), urgency (31.1%), incomplete bladder emptying (26.3%), straining (15.3%), and voiding difficulty (14.5%). Stress UI (SUI) (26.7%) was more common during pregnancy than mixed UI (6.1%) or urge UI (4.7%). Women with a prepregnancy BMI >30 were at increased risk of developing de novo SUI during pregnancy. Urge incontinence during pregnancy was associated with smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of LUTS generally increased with gestational age. UI during pregnancy was associated with prepregnancy BMI and smoking.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections in pregnancy

Symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in pregnant women. A history of previous urinary tract infections and low socioeconomic status are risk factors for bacteriuria in pregnancy. Escherichia coli is the most common aetiologic agent in both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection and quantitative culture is the gold standard for diagnosis. Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria has been shown to reduce the rate of pyelonephritis in pregnancy and therefore screening for and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria has become a standard of obstetrical care. Antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with a decrease in the incidence of low birth weight, but the methodological quality of the studies limits the strength of the conclusions that can be drawn. Debate exists in the literature as to whether treated pyelonephritis is associated with adverse fetal outcomes. There is no clear consensus in the literature on antibiotic choice or duration of therapy for infection. With increasing antibiotic resistance, consideration of local resistance rates is necessary when choosing therapy.

Anatomic and functional changes of the lower urinary tract during pregnancy

Pregnant women usually acknowledge and more or less accept symptoms of urinary frequency, nocturia, and leakage as annoying aspects of pregnancy that are expected to resolve when the pregnancy is over. Studies have shown that urinary symptoms may be more than just "annoying" - the symptoms can markedly reduce quality of life. This article provides an overview of the lower urinary tract during pregnancy, including considerations of symptoms of urinary frequency; nocturia and incontinence; changes in bladder support; and the occurrence of urinary retention, a urologic emergency.

Bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms 1 year after first delivery: prevalence and the effect of childbirth

OBJECTIVE

To assess the severity of both stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms during and after the first pregnancy, using a self-reported health-related quality-of-life questionnaire, and to assess the effect of pregnancy and childbirth on bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) persisting at 1 year after the first childbirth.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, 344 women completed four self-reported questionnaires. Urogenital symptoms were assessed with the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI), assessing if a urogenital symptom is present and the amount of bother it causes, measured on a 4-point Likert scale, i.e. 'not at all', 'slightly', 'moderately' and 'greatly bothered'. Bothersome LUTS were defined as reporting moderate or great bother from the symptom, and as not bothersome if it was absent or present with none or only a slight degree of self-reported bother. In the analysis we used three of the five subscales from the UDI; UI, OAB and obstructive voiding, where each subscale has a range of 0 (no symptom) to 100 (all symptoms present with the highest degree of bother).

RESULTS

Of the 344 women, 83 (24.2%) reported having a moderate to greatly bothersome frequency symptom at 36 weeks of gestation. After childbirth there was a statistically significant decline in the prevalence of bothersome frequency to 38 (9.6%) women (P < 0.001). Bothersome SUI was present in 53 (15.4%) women at 36 weeks of gestation, and in 36 (10.5%) at 1 year after childbirth. Fifty-eight (16.9%) women reported having moderate to greatly bothersome urge UI (UUI) and at 1 year after childbirth, 51 (14.8%) were still bothered by it. After univariate and multivariate analysis, the predictive factors for the presence of bothersome SUI were greater maternal age (32.5 vs 30.3 years old at delivery) and the presence of bothersome SUI at 12 weeks of gestation. Bothersome UUI was significantly associated with a lower educational level (odds ratio 0.08, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.36). Women after a Caesarean delivery had more bothersome UUI and women after a spontaneous vaginal delivery developed more bothersome SUI (neither statistically significant, possibly because there were too few samples). During pregnancy, all UDI subscale scores increased significantly and after childbirth all scores decreased significantly vs 36 weeks of gestation. However, the score on the UI subscale remained significantly higher at 1 year after birth than at 12 weeks of gestation, whereas the scores on the OAB and obstructive voiding subscales were lower at 1 year after birth than at 12 weeks of gestation. Nevertheless, the scores for UI and obstructive voiding were low, indicating little bother.

CONCLUSION

Most women are not bothered by their LUTS after their first delivery. As the prevalence of bothersome symptoms was highest at 36 weeks of gestation, they are probably part of a normal pregnancy. However, OAB symptoms can be perceived as bothersome. Physiotherapy and bladder training can be offered to women with bothersome LUTS. Bothersome SUI in early pregnancy and a greater maternal age were predictive of bothersome SUI at 1 year after first childbirth. A Caesarean delivery seemed to be protective for bothersome SUI at 1 year after birth, but bothersome UUI was more prevalent after a Caesarean than a vaginal delivery. More research with a larger sample is needed to allow definite statements about the effect of the mode of delivery and bothersome UI symptoms.

Peripartum urinary incontinence in a racially diverse obstetrical population

To determine the rates of urinary incontinence in a racially diverse, tertiary care obstetrical population during the third trimester and postpartum using a validated symptom-screening questionnaire. Third trimester prenatal patients receiving obstetric care at Loyola University Medical Center between March and November 2003 participated in this prospective study approved by the Institutional Review Board. Third-trimester participants completed the 15-item, validated Medical, Epidemiological, and Social Aspects of Aging (MESA) questionnaire and the Hunskaar Severity Index. The MESA was readministered to participants during a 6- to 8-week postpartum visit. One hundred and thirteen women completed antenatal and postpartum MESAs. Seventy-four percent (83 of 113) of the patients in the third trimester were categorized as incontinent. The postpartum incontinence rates decreased to 44% (50 of 113). Twenty-one percent (24 of 113) of the participants after delivery reported pure stress incontinence, 3% (3 of 113) urge incontinence, and 20% (23 of 113) mixed incontinence. Only 4% (5 of 113) of the women developed de novo incontinence postpartum: three reported symptoms of pure stress incontinence and two reported symptoms consistent with urge incontinence. The MESA questionnaire identifies more women with antenatal and postpartum urinary incontinence than currently described in the literature.

Voiding function in pregnancy and puerperium

Bladder function changes significantly in pregnancy. This study prospectively examined voiding function in a nulliparous cohort. A total of 200 nulliparous women were seen twice during pregnancy and 2-5 months postpartum. Flowmetry, ultrasound estimation of residual urine and translabial ultrasound of bladder neck mobility were evaluated. The Liverpool nomograms were used to calculate maximum and average flow rate (MFR and AFR) centiles. Flowmetry was available on 186 women at 6-18 weeks, 165 women at 32-39 weeks and 162 women 2-5 months postpartum. Voided volumes decreased from 253 to 180 ml during pregnancy (p<0.001), increasing again to 198 ml postpartum. MFR centiles increased during pregnancy [from 49 (SD 28) to 58 (SD 29), p=0.003], and this trend continued postpartum [to 61.8 (SD 26.8), p<0.001]. Changes correlated weakly but significantly with changes in several parameters of bladder neck mobility (e.g. urethral rotation and MFR centiles, r=0.182, p=0.027). MFR and AFR centiles increase in pregnancy and with childbirth, and increases correlate weakly with changes in bladder neck mobility.

The risk of lower urinary tract symptoms five years after the first delivery

AIM OF THE STUDY

To estimate the prevalence and 5-year incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after the first delivery and to evaluate the impact of pregnancy per se and delivery per se on long-lasting symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A longitudinal cohort study of 305 primiparae questioned a few days, 3 months, and 5 years after their delivery. The questionnaire used was tested and validated, and the questions were formulated according to the definitions of the International Continence Society (ICS). Maternal, obstetric, and neonatal data concerning every delivery and objective data concerning surgeries during the observation period were obtained from the records. From the sample of 278 women (91%) who responded 5 years after their first delivery, three subpopulations were defined: 1) women without initial LUTS before or during the first pregnancy or during the puerperal period, 2) women with onset of LUTS during the first pregnancy, and 3) women with onset of LUTS during the first puerperium. The risk of LUTS 5 years after the first delivery was examined using bivariate analyses. The obstetric variables in the bivariate tests with a significant association with long-lasting urinary incontinence were entered into a multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of stress and urge incontinence 5 years after first delivery was 30% and 15%, respectively, whereas the 5-year incidence was 19% and 11%, respectively. The prevalence of urgency, diurnal frequency, and nocturia 5 years after the first delivery was 18%, 24%, and 2%, respectively, whereas the 5-year incidence was 15%, 20%, and 0.5%, respectively. The prevalence of all LUTS except nocturia increased significantly during the 5 years of observation. The risk of long-lasting stress and urge incontinence was related to the onset and duration of the symptom after the first pregnancy and delivery in a dose-response-like manner. Vacuum extraction at the first delivery was used significantly more often in the group of women with onset of stress incontinence during the first puerperium, whereas an episiotomy at the first delivery was performed significantly more often in the group of women with onset of stress incontinence in the 5 years of observation. The prevalence of urgency and diurnal frequency 5 years after the first delivery was not increased in women with symptom onset during the first pregnancy or puerperium compared with those without such symptoms. The frequency of nocturia 5 years after the first delivery was too low for statistical analysis.

CONCLUSION

The first pregnancy and delivery may result in stress and urge incontinence 5 years later. Women with stress and urge incontinence 3 months after the first delivery have a very high risk of long-lasting symptoms. An episiotomy or a vacuum extraction at the first delivery seems to increase the risk. Subsequent childbearing or surgery seems without significant contribution. Long-lasting urgency, diurnal frequency, or nocturia cannot be predicted from onset during the first pregnancy or puerperium.

Urological problems in pregnancy

During pregnancy the urinary tract undergoes extensive anatomical and physiological changes. These changes can result in many symptoms and pathological conditions that may affect the mother and fetus. It is well documented that childbirth may result in urinary tract damage which may predispose to postpartum symptoms. This review describes the physiological and pathological consequences of pregnancy and delivery on the urinary tract, and how these may be minimized.

Pregnancy and delivery: a urodynamic viewpoint

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to establish prospectively the prevalence of objective bladder dysfunction before and after delivery by means of urodynamic investigations and to assess the effect of obstetric variables on bladder function.

DESIGN

Prospective longitudinal study. Twin channel subtracted cystometry was performed in the standing and sitting position, with a cough stress test at the end of filling. The investigations were repeated three months postpartum.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred and eighty-six nulliparae with singleton pregnancies who were delivered between April 1996 and November 1997 attended for antenatal assessment after 34 weeks of gestation and 161 who returned postpartum.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a London teaching hospital.

RESULTS

The mean urodynamic values both in pregnancy and postpartum lower than values defined in a non-pregnant population. The prevalence of genuine stress incontinence and detrusor instability were antenatally 9% and 8%, respectively, and postpartum 5% and 7%, respectively. Obstetric and neonatal factors were not related to urodynamic variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the reported high prevalence of urinary incontinence related to pregnancy and childbirth, neither pregnancy nor delivery resulted in any consistent effects on objective bladder function. Postpartum urodynamic measurements were not related to either obstetric or neonatal variables, but were dependent on antenatal values.

Urinary tract infections in pregnancy

Although pregnancy does not increase the prevalence of ASB in women, it does enhance the progression rate from asymptomatic to symptomatic disease. Furthermore, ASB is associated with preterm delivery. Given the fact that identification and eradication of ASB in pregnant women can lower the likelihood of pyelonephritis and prevent preterm delivery, every gravida should be systematically screened for ASB and appropriately treated. In the authors' opinion, a first-trimester urine culture remains the screening test of choice; reliance on symptoms to prompt screening is inadequate because the state of pregnancy can provoke frequency and nocturia. Multiple antibiotic regimens for ASB are safe during pregnancy and effective.

Urinary incontinence: prevalence and risk factors at 16 weeks of gestation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of urinary incontinence at 16 weeks of gestation and to identify possible maternal and obstetric risk factors.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study and cohort study.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.

POPULATION

Cross-sectional study: 7795 women attending antenatal care. Cohort study: a sub-group of 1781 pregnant women with one previous delivery at our department.

RESULTS

Prevalence and maternal risk factors: the prevalence of urinary incontinence within the preceding year was 8.9% among women at 16 weeks of gestation (nulliparae, 3.9%, para 1, 13.8%, para 2+, 16.2%). Stress or mixed incontinence occurred at least weekly in 3% of all the women. After adjusting for age, parity, body mass index, smoking, previous abortions, and previous lower abdominal or urological surgery in a logistic regression model, primiparous women who had delivered vaginally had higher risk of stress or mixed urinary incontinence than nulliparous women (OR 5.7; 95% CI 3.9-8.3). Subsequent vaginal deliveries did not increase the risk significantly. Young age, body mass index > 30, and smoking were possible risk factors for developing urinary incontinence. Obstetric factors: weight of the newborn > 4000 g (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.0-3.6) increased the risk of urinary incontinence; mediolateral episiotomy in combination with birthweight > 4000 g also increased the risk (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.2-10.2); a number of other intrapartum factors did not increase the risk of urinary incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS

The first vaginal delivery was a major risk factor for developing urinary incontinence; subsequent vaginal deliveries did not increase the risk significantly. Birthweight > 4000 g increased the risk; episiotomy in combination with birthweight > 4000 g also increased the risk.

Do bladder neck mobility and urethral sphincter function differ during pregnancy compared with during the non-pregnant state?

The aim of the study was to assess and compare urethral sphincter (US) function and bladder neck (BN) behavior in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Urethral pressure profile parameters, intravaginal-anal pressures and BN position/mobility were compared in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. It was found that pregnancy results in a decreased maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP)/area of continence at rest and at stress, decreased pressure-transmission ratio (PTR) values and backwards displacement of the bladder neck. No significant changes in intravaginal-anal pressures and BN mobility/downwards displacement were seen. Compared with stress continent pregnant patients, pregnant patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) have a lower MUCP at rest/stress and area of continence at stress, but show no difference in BN behavior. Regression analysis shows no correlation between advancing pregnancy and any of these parameters. It was concluded that pregnancy induces diminished US function and backwards displacement of the BN. Compared to continent pregnant patients, pregnant women with SUI also have a diminished US function. US parameters are not significantly modified by advancing pregnancy.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in pregnancy: a review

It has long been observed that pregnancy may influence the development and course of urinary tract disorders. The physiological and anatomical changes inherent in normal pregnancy and the changing hormonal environment are generally assumed to play a role in the pathogenesis of urinary tract symptomatology. The purpose of this review is to examine the reported effect(s) of pregnancy on the lower urinary tract and to evaluate the possible role of pregnancy and delivery in lower urinary tract dysfunction.