Evaluation and Treatment of Urinary Incontinence in Women

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2022 Mar;51(1):157-175. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.10.010. Epub 2022 Jan 7.

Abstract

This review focuses on the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of urinary incontinence (UI). UI is a common diagnosis that is encountered among women in their lifetime. Stress, urge (overactive bladder), and overflow are the most commonly encountered types of incontinence, but anatomic and neurologic causes are important to rule out. There are many treatment options available for the management of UI, and most patients will benefit from conservative strategies including weight loss, timed voiding, fluid intake reduction, pelvic floor strengthening exercises, and medications. For those who do not achieve adequate improvement with conservative measures, surgical intervention can provide good symptom relief.

Keywords: Evaluation; Pelvic floor disorder; Treatment; Urinary incontinence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Exercise Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Urinary Incontinence* / diagnosis
  • Urinary Incontinence* / etiology
  • Urinary Incontinence* / therapy