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

OBJECTIVES: Urinary incontinence (UI) is highly prevalent worldwide, especially in women. This study hypothesized that the age of menarche, a developmental landmark, may be a risk factor for the development of UI. METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on girls presenting to the gynaecology outpatient clinic at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan, from 2013 to 2014. Medical history and demographic data were collected, and associations between age of menarche and urinary problems were examined. RESULTS: The study enrolled 360 girls (mean age 17.60 ± 4.01 years). Of the participants, 101 (28.9%) reported experiencing urgency in urination, 23 (6.6%) had UI, 17 (4.9%) reported using urine pads at night, 23 (6.6%) had recurrent urinary infections, 61 (12.3%) had received treatment for UI, and 43 (12.3%) had been treated for urinary infections. Nocturia was significantly more frequently reported in younger girls at their first period (p = 0.02). Other urinary problems during menstruation, such as urge incontinence, were significantly associated with older age at first period (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Age of menarche represents an important risk indicator for later development of UI in women.

Prevalence and frequency of severity of urinary incontinence symptoms in late pregnancy: a prospective study in the north of Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of urinary urge, stress incontinence and bothersome urinary symptoms in late pregnancy in Jordan. METHOD: Women admitted in spontaneous labor to labor suite at three covering hospitals in the north of Jordan and at least 36 weeks gestational age were eligible for survey to ascertain data on current pregnancies and past pregnancy. Data analyzed for 181 women. RESULT: Mean gestational age was 39.5 weeks. 85% had normal vaginal delivery. 35% of women reported symptoms of urgency, 30% of whom described symptoms frequency as moderate or severe, and 45% reported stress incontinence, 29% of whom described symptoms frequency as moderate or severe during the current pregnancy. Symptoms in previous pregnancies were reported by 20 and 30% of women for urge and stress incontinence, respectively. Urgency and urge incontinence increased in relation to parity. CONCLUSION: The frequency of urinary incontinence and bothersome symptoms was relatively similar compared to other countries.