A vaginal device (continence guard) in the management of urge incontinence in women.

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a disposable vaginal device in the management of urge incontinence. A total of 38 women with urge incontinence and uninhibited bladder contractions during cystometry were included. They wore the device from morning to night. Before, and again after, using the device for 1 month the women were assessed by pelvic examination, uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine, two 24-hour pad-tests, a 3-day voiding diary and vaginal and urine cultures. A questionnaire about the subjective effect and adverse events was completed. Thirty women (79%) completed the study. Two (6.7%) were subjectively cured when using the device, 15 (50%) were improved, and 13 (43.3%) experienced unchanged incontinence. The 24-hour pad-test leakage showed a statistically significant decrease (P=0.001) - in 11 women (36.7%) the decrease was more than 50%. The other urodynamic results were unchanged. A significant decrease in the number of daily micturitions was found in the group of responders (P=0.02). No vaginal infections were found; 4 women (13%) had uncomplicated urinary tract infection during the test-period. Subjective complaints were few, and 21 women (70%) wanted to continue the treatment with the device. The vaginal device constitutes a new option in the management of urge incontinence, with a subjective and objective cure/improvement rate of 56.7%. The device is easy to use and well accepted.