The relation between urinary incontinence and steroid hormone levels in perimenopausal women. A report from the Women's Health in the Lund Area (WHILA) study.
OBJECTIVE
To outline possible associations between urinary incontinence (UI) and serum levels of steroid hormones in middle-aged women.


METHODS
Community-based observational study.


METHODS
All women aged 50-59 living in the Lund area by December 1995 were invited to a screening procedure. Sixty-four percent (n = 6,917) attended the screening that included physical and laboratory examinations and questionnaires.


METHODS
Serum levels of cortisol, testosterone, androstendione, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), and estradiol were analyzed and the 2,221 (32%) women who reported urinary leakage causing a social or hygienic problem were compared to those who denied incontinence.


METHODS
Possible differences in serum levels of steroid hormones in continent and incontinent women.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between continent and incontinent women regarding serum levels of cortisol, testosterone, androstendione, or testosterone + androstendione combined. Serum estradiol adjusted for body mass index, parity, smoking, and hysterectomy was significantly higher in incontinent women (87.1 +/- 138.4 pmol/l vs. 78.0 +/- 118.5 pmol/l, p = 0.005), whereas the ratio estradiol/SHBG was not. These differences persisted when the group of women not on hormonal treatment was analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
UI in middle-aged women seems related to higher serum estradiol levels. This corroborates with studies showing a higher incidence and/or prevalence of UI in women on hormone therapy. No association between UI and serum levels of cortisol, testosterone, or androstendione was found.
Teleman
Pia M
PM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Sciences, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. pia.teleman@med.lu.se
Persson
Jan
J
Mattiasson
Anders
A
Samsioe
Goran
G
D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D047648:Perimenopause / Q000097:blood*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013548:Sweden; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000097:blood*
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D006854:Hydrocortisone