Stress Urinary Incontinence in Elite Female Athletes: A Cross-Disciplinary Survey of Prevalence and Contributing Factors

Background: Elite female athletes across various sports may experience stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a condition that is still insufficiently acknowledged in high-level athletic environments among both athletes and their support staff. Beyond affecting quality of life and psychological comfort, SUI may compromise sports performance. However, it remains understudied in numerous athletic disciplines. Methods: This observational study analyzed anonymized, retrospective data from 200 elite female athletes who completed an online questionnaire evaluating the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and its triggering factors (TF). The use of compensatory strategies, implementation of targeted interventions, and the level of dialogue on this topic with support staff were also examined in relation to the presence of SUI. Results: 36.9% of athletes reported SUI through direct questioning, while indirect analysis revealed a prevalence of 68.5%. No significant differences were found between SUI and No-SUI athletes in terms of age, age at the start of high-level practice, or training load. During sports activities, jumping/landing was the most frequently reported TF (44.5%), followed by running (28.9%) and weightlifting (23.4%). Other sport-specific movements should also be considered. Regardless of SUI status, elite female athletes reported more frequent discussions about SUI with medical staff than with technical staff (p < 0.001). Conclusion: SUI is highly prevalent among elite female athletes in France, with over half affected in most disciplines. Results call for raising awareness, prevention strategies, and open communication to support athlete health and performance.