Stress incontinence Health Article

Expectations (prognosis)

Behavioral changes, pelvic floor exercise therapy, and medication usually improve symptoms rather than cure stress incontinence. Surgery can cure most patients, if they are carefully selected.

Treatment does not work as well in people with:

• Conditions that may prevent healing or make surgery more difficult
• Other genital or urinary problems
• Previous surgical failures

Complications

Complications are rare and usually mild. They can include:

• Irritation of the vulva
• Pain during intercourse
• Unpleasant odors
• Vaginal discharge

The condition may affect or disrupt social activities, careers, and relationships.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of stress incontinence and they are bothersome.

Prevention

Performing Kegel exercises (tightening the muscles of the pelvic floor as if trying to stop the urine stream) may help prevent symptoms. Doing Kegel exercises during and after pregnancy can decrease the risk of developing stress urinary incontinence after childbirth.

References

Holroyd-Leduc JM, Tannenbaum C, Thorpe KE, Straus SE. What type of urinary incontinence does this woman have? JAMA. 2008;299:1446-1456.

Rogers RG. Clinical practice. Urinary stress incontinence in women. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:1029-1036.