Menopause Study Results

Kelly Skovira, D.N.P. - MenopauseRx, Inc. Uniontown, PA, USA

Introduction: ^ Return to top

Urinary incontinence is an important social, health, economic, and hygienic problem that is experienced by 34% of the Menopause Rx website viewers.  This pilot study was conducted to compare two educational programs that address the use of Kegel exercises as treatment for urinary incontinence. The program that included additional email messages demonstrated higher compliance with the treatment by the study participants.

34 % of MenopauseRx viewers  - October of 2008 we added a question to our website sign up survey screening for urinary leakage. We have compiled a positive response to urinary leakage from 7,624 women, or 34%.

The population used in this research was perimenopausal and menopausal women of the MenopauseRx database who have urinary incontinence.  The educational email process outlined the pelvic floor strengthening treatment for incontinence and highlighted correct performance of the Kegel exercises.  This survey was sent to 100 women in the sample population with a positive response on our initial survey to the urinary leakage question. 50 women were randomized to the experimental group and 50 women to the control group.

The control group did not receive any further education and was asked to complete the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) at baseline and at 12 weeks. The Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) instrument is a 22-question survey specific to patients with stress, urge, and mixed types of urinary incontinence. InThe total I-QOL score ranges from 22 to 110. The higher the test score ranges the better quality of life.

The experimental group’s educational plan is a four-fold process. They received four additional educational emails about helpful bladder hints and Kegel exercise reminders. They followed the same procedure as the control group with the completion of the I-QOL at baseline and at 12 weeks.  

Descriptive Statistics: ^ Return to top

Summary of respondents’ characteristics at the time of the initial survey: All Respondents
Respondents have had urinary problems or incontinence for on average, 4 years and 8 months; and have had, on average, one medical appointment in the last year to treat the urinary problems or incontinence.

• Over half of respondents (53%) would describe the severity of their urinary problems or incontinence as moderate; over a third (34%) describe it as mild; and remaining 13% describe it as severe.
• Nine out of ten respondents (92%) lose urine when they cough, sneeze, run, walk, jump or when they do some other activity.
• Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62%) lose control of their bladder before they can get to the bathroom.
  Over half of the respondents (59%) lose urine at times not associated with any specific activity or the need to go to the bathroom.
• ne-third of respondents (34%) lose urine, even a small amount, when they didn't want to, four or less times per month; 25% lose urine two to three times per week; and the remaining 41% of respondents lose urine once or more than once a day.

Experimental Group at 12 Weeks: ^ Return to top

Respondents have had urinary problems or incontinence for, on average, 4 years and 8 months; and have had, on average, one medical appointment in the last year to treat the urinary problems or incontinence.

• Almost a third of respondents (32%) would describe the severity of their urinary problems or incontinence as moderate; over half (54%) describe it as mild; and remaining 14% describe it as severe.
• Nine out of ten respondents (96%) lose urine when they cough, sneeze, run, walk, jump or when they do some other activity.
• Almost half of respondents (43%) lose control of their bladder before they can get to the bathroom.
  Over half of the respondents (56%) lose urine at times not associated with any specific activity or the need to go to the bathroom.
• Over one-third of respondents (39%) lose urine, even a small amount, when they didn't want to, four or less times per month; 21% lose urine two to three times per week; and the remaining 39% of respondents lose urine once or more than once a day.

Control Group at 12 Weeks: ^ Return to top

Respondents have had urinary problems or incontinence for, on average, 4 years and 8 months; and have had, on average, one medical appointment in the last year to treat the urinary problems or incontinence.

• 6 out of 10 of respondents (60%) would describe the severity of their urinary problems or incontinence as moderate; one third (32%) describe it as mild; and remaining 8% describe it as severe.
• Nine out of ten respondents (90%) lose urine when they cough, sneeze, run, walk, jump or when they do some other activity.
• Over 70% of respondents (72%) lose control of their bladder before they can get to the bathroom.
• 6 out of 10 respondents (62%) lose urine at times not associated with any specific activity or the need to go to the bathroom.
• Over one-third of respondents (37%) lose urine, even a small amount, when they didn't want to, four or less times per month; 17% lose urine two to three times per week; and the remaining 46% of respondents lose urine once or more than once a day.

Descriptive Statistics Table: ^ Return to top