Audrey Wang1, Lesley K Carr. 1. Department of Urology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Stress urinary incontinence is a common and costly condition amongst community dwelling women. It can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life and yet less than half of women with urinary incontinence seek medical attention. It is important for primary care physicians to have a clear understanding of stress urinary incontinence in order to screen and manage patients who may have bothersome symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to outline the terminology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation and treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Female stress urinary incontinence can be effectively evaluated and managed in the primary setting. Specialist referral is warranted when there is complex urinary symptomatology, hematuria on work-up or failure of conservative therapy.
INTRODUCTION:Stress urinary incontinence is a common and costly condition amongst community dwelling women. It can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life and yet less than half of women with urinary incontinence seek medical attention. It is important for primary care physicians to have a clear understanding of stress urinary incontinence in order to screen and manage patients who may have bothersome symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to outline the terminology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation and treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Female stress urinary incontinence can be effectively evaluated and managed in the primary setting. Specialist referral is warranted when there is complex urinary symptomatology, hematuria on work-up or failure of conservative therapy.