Urinary incontinence in women

Abstract

Urinary incontinence symptoms are highly prevalent among women, have a substantial effect on health-related quality of life and are associated with considerable personal and societal expenditure. Two main types are described: stress urinary incontinence, in which urine leaks in association with physical exertion, and urgency urinary incontinence, in which urine leaks in association with a sudden compelling desire to void. Women who experience both symptoms are considered as having mixed urinary incontinence. Research has revealed overlapping potential causes of incontinence, including dysfunction of the detrusor muscle or muscles of the pelvic floor, dysfunction of the neural controls of storage and voiding, and perturbation of the local environment within the bladder. A full diagnostic evaluation of urinary incontinence requires a medical history, physical examination, urinalysis, assessment of quality of life and, when initial treatments fail, invasive urodynamics. Interventions can include non-surgical options (such as lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor muscle training and drugs) and surgical options to support the urethra or increase bladder capacity. Future directions in research may increasingly target primary prevention through understanding of environmental and genetic risks for incontinence.

Exploring the relation between obesity and urinary incontinence: Pathophysiology, clinical implications, and the effect of weight reduction, ICI‐RS 2018

“…Obesity is a common risk factor for LUTS including UI . Weight loss magnitude is shown to be an independent predictor of incontinence improvement for women and men .…”

Prevalence and associated factors of urinary leakage among women participating in the 45 and Up Study

“…Not surprisingly, we found an association between older age and a higher prevalence of urinary leakage and frequency of urinary leakage which has also been found in other studies. 16 It is more important to note that as the study population aged, the number of women experiencing leakage two to three times per week increased. This indicates an increase of severity of symptoms over time.…”

The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) in girls and women: Developing a conceptual framework for a prevention research agenda

“…The prevalence and incidence of LUTS among women varies across the life course. Estimates of urinary incontinence in women range from 10% to 50%, depending on the definition of incontinence and age of the population being studied . Generally, LUTS in girls include urinary tract infections and nocturnal enuresis .…”