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Introduction and hypothesis: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of birth weight and being born small for gestational age (SGA) on urinary incontinence (UI) among premenopausal women. Methods: In 2005, a total of 14,094 female twins born 1959-1985 who had been included in the Swedish Twin Registry participated in a survey on common exposures and complex diseases, including urinary incontinence. Information regarding birth weight and gestational age was obtained from the Medical Birth Register (for twins born 1973-1985) and from the medical archives (for twins born 1959-1972). A logistic regression model based on generalized estimating equations was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Results: In both crude and adjusted analysis, birth weight and SGA had no effect on UI. An interaction between low birth weight (<2,500 g) and body mass index (BMI) later in life was found for overall and stress UI. Compared with women who were not overweight and had a birth weight above 2,500 g, overweight women (BMI ≥ 25) who had a normal birth weight had a 35 % higher odds of incontinence , while overweight women who had a low birth weight had an approximately 85 % higher odds of UI (OR = 1.84, 95 % CI 1.39-2.45 for overall UI; OR = 1.83, 95 % CI 1.35-2.48 for stress UI). Conclusions: Birth weight and SGA had no direct effect on urinary incontinence; however, low birth weight in combination with an elevated adult BMI may contribute to the risk of urinary incontinence later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the impact of oral contraceptives on lower urinary tract dysfunction in premenopausal women.Design: Nationwide cohort study.Setting: National registry.Patient(s): A total of 10,791 women (born 1959-1985) from the population- based Swedish Twin Registry who participated in a web-based survey of common diseases.Intervention(s): None.Main Outcome Measure(s): Symptoms of urinary incontinence.Result(s): For users of oral contraception there was a significantly reduced risk for symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and urgency urinary incontinence. The reduction remained significant when adjusting for age, body mass index, and pregnancy history. A reduced prevalence of symptoms of overactive bladder in oral contraceptive users was also observed although the association was nonsignificant. There were no significant associations between lower urinary tract symptoms and women using a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device compared with noncontraceptive users, with the exception of nocturia.Conclusion(s): Oral contraceptive use reduces the overall risk for symptoms of urinary incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]