Urinary incontinence in women: part 1 of a series of articles on incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence can arise in a woman of any age. Its prevalence is between 10% and 40%. The main clinical problems in urogynecology are stress urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine on exertion, sneezing, or coughing) and the overactive bladder syndrome (nycturia, pollakisuria, and urinary urgency with or without incontinence).
METHOD: Selective literature search, with special attention to large-scale studies and to the guidelines of the German Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, DGGG) and its Task Force on Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstruction (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Urogynäkologie und Beckenbodenrekonstruktion).
RESULTS: There are many diagnostic and therapeutic options, whose use should be based on the degree of the patient's suffering and on her motivation to be treated. Anticholinergic drugs are of established value in the treatment of overactive bladder. They are used in combination with possible lifestyle changes and bladder training. In some circum-stances, botulinum toxin injections can be considered as well. Stress incontinence should be treated conservatively (with pelvic floor training) before any surgical treatment is provided. The new tension-free vaginal tapes are just as effective as classic treatments, such as colposuspension, while being less invasive and enabling a more rapid recovery.
CONCLUSION: All women with urinary incontinence should undergo appropriate, specialized diagnostic evaluation and well-founded counseling in order to benefit from individualized treatment.