Background Stress urinary incontinence in elite sportswomen has been the subject of numerous studies, but few have focused on rugby despite being a high-risk sport with dynamic and isometric stresses on the perineum. Objectives This study looked at the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence found in players over 18 of the twelve Elite 1 and reserve teams during the 2023/2024 season, with the aim of removing the taboo surrounding this pathology and enabling the development of educational content for players and staffs. The French Rugby Federation and the Institut de Santé Publique d`Epidémiologie et de Développement (ISPED - University of Bordeaux) supported this work. Study design A thirty-eight-question diagnostic survey based on the ICIQ (International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire) and Contilife, looking into triggering factors, primary and secondary prevention, or quality of life was submitted to female players via their club doctor from April 2 to May 2, 2024. A full description was drawn up, along with statistical tests to identify the players most likely to suffer from urinary stress incontinence. Results Among the players, 159 had responded to the survey from the twelve Elite 1 clubs, i.e. around 33% of the target population. The estimated prevalence of stress urinary incontinence was 49.4%. Symptoms preferentially affected players with a high BMI (P = 0,005), particularly forwards (P < 0,001). The main situations at risk are jumping (33%), landing jumps (26%), being tackled (26%), sprinting (26%), carrying loads (24%), and concentric abdominal strengthening (17%). Although the majority of players do not express any discomfort, just under a third of them are negatively affected in their rugby playing and around one in four in everyday life. Conclusion Stress urinary incontinence in Elite women's rugby is still subject to inadequate primary prevention, delayed diagnosis and still fragile secondary prevention. Yet it is a source of discomfort in the daily lives of one player in four, and as such should no longer be considered a taboo or an inconvenience inherent in intensive sports practice.
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