PREVALENCE OF URINARY INCONTINENCE AMONG POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71146/kjmr942Keywords:
Urinary incontinence, Menopause, Postmenopause, Urge Urinary Incontinence , Stress Urinary Incontinence, NocturiaAbstract
Background:
Menopause marks the end of menstruation, which is characterized by changes in hormonal levels that significantly affect women's urogenital health. When estrogen levels drop, the pelvic muscles and all the surrounding tissues become weaker, which increases the risk of urinary incontinence in women.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence among postmenopausal women.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 153 female participants aged 45 to 85 years in Karachi using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, including the Incontinence Severity Index (ISI). Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection, and ethical considerations were strictly maintained. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.The Chisquare test was performed to assess the association between menopause and urinary incontinence.
Result:
A total of 153 postmenopausal women, 83% were between the ages of 45 and 55, 68.6% went through menopause between the ages of 40 and 45 and 94.8% were married. 32.7% of subjects had mild incontinence, while the majority (58.8%) had no incontinence. Age and incontinence severity were shown to be significantly associated (p < 0.001), with older women more likely to have more severe urine incontinence.
Conclusion:
Postmenopausal women frequently experience mild episodes of urinary incontinence. Marital status was not significantly associated with the severity of incontinence, whereas age showed a significant correlation. Improving the quality of life of postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence requires early detection, patient education, and the implementation of preventive measures.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Tooba Mubarak, Dr Khadija Usman, Dr Okasha Anjum (Author)
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