When people think about urinary incontinence and pelvic floor issues, they imagine pregnant people, postpartum parents, and older folks. But that’s not the whole story. High school and college athletes here in Austin, TX and across the country experience leakage at surprisingly high rates.

For these girls and young women, urinary incontinence is not just a physical symptom. Girls and women with leakage experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, as well as challenges in body image and self-esteem. Many younger athletes feel embarrassed or ashamed, making them less likely to share their symptoms with coaches, trainers, or healthcare providers. Leakage can impact the performance of these young athletes, but more importantly it can impact their long-term physical and mental health and wellbeing. 

The good news? Small changes can make a world of difference. 

After childbirth, most new parents are told to “take it easy” and let their bodies heal, but rest alone isn’t always enough.

Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to assess and treat issues related to the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues of the pelvic floor.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles located at the base of your pelvis, forming a supportive “hammock” for your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs

Urinary leakage while running is incredibly common, though it’s challenging to get accurate numbers of prevalence largely due to under-reporting and lack of discussion surrounding this symptom. Though there are limited studies assessing the prevalence of leakage amongst runners specifically, we have more data looking at leakage amongst the larger bucket of impact sports.