Fewer urine leaks
- Published in
- NEJM 2009
- People studied
- 338
In a trial of 338 women, weekly leaks fell by 47% in a weight-loss programme, against 28% in the comparison group.
- Checked against
- PubMed 19179316
- Published in
- NEJM 2009
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
338 women with overweight or obesity and at least 10 urine leaks a week were randomly put in a 6-month programme of diet, exercise and behaviour change, or in an education programme. The programme group lost 8% of their weight on average. Weekly leaks fell by 47%, against 28% in the comparison group, with a clear difference for leaks on coughing or effort.
At a glance
- Type of study
- randomised trial
- People studied
- 338
- How long
- 6 months
- Compared with
- a structured education programme
- Main result
- Weekly leaks fell 47%, against 28%.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
Only 6 months, and leaks were counted by the women in a diary. Urge leaks did not differ clearly between the groups.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on intimate health
- Better erectionsRandomised trials · Esposito et al., JAMA 2004
- Fewer urine leaksRandomised trials · Subak et al., NEJM 2009
- Easier hot flushesRandomised trials · Huang et al., Arch Intern Med 2010
- Better sexual function in womenRandomised trials · Wing et al., Diabetes Care 2013
- Higher testosteroneLong-term or observational studies · Camacho et al., Eur J Endocrinol 2013
- Fewer urine leaks in menRandomised trials · Breyer et al., J Urol 2014
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