Pelvic organ prolapse and the lower urinary tract: the relationship of vaginal prolapse to stress urinary incontinence.

Vaginal prolapse and urinary incontinence frequently coexist. Rather than having a cause-and-effect relationship, these two common problems share etiologic factors. Specific tissue and functional deficiencies resulting in prolapse also are significant contributors to lower urinary tract symptoms, particularly stress urinary incontinence. This article reviews this relationship, the etiologic factors, and aspects of the clinical evaluation of the patient with prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.