Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Women’s health
Assessing urinary incontinence in women: how can we help a wee problem?
Recent articles on:
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Recent articles on:
Women's health
Women's health
Abstract
In most patients, a diagnosis can be reached from history, examination, urinalysis and culture, a bladder diary and (in some cases) measurement of postvoid residual urine volume.
Key Points
- Urinary incontinence affects between 25 and 45% of women at some time in their lives.
- GPs are ideally placed to initiate management.
- Reversible causes should be sought, particularly medications such as diuretics and antihypertensive drugs (including prazosin).
- History, examination, urinalysis, urine culture, a bladder diary and (in selected cases) measurement of postvoid residual urine volume are sufficient for a diagnosis in most cases.
- Pelvic floor exercises and bladder training can be effective treatments.
- Specialist referral should be considered for patients who do not respond to these measures.
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