Stress incontinence

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
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Stress incontinence
Illustration of the female pelvic organs
Synonyms	Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Urinary incontinence during activities that increase abdominal pressure
Complications	Urinary tract infection, skin irritation
Onset	Can occur at any age, more common in women
Duration	Can be chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles, childbirth, prostate surgery
Risks	Obesity, pregnancy, smoking, chronic cough
Diagnosis	Physical examination, urinalysis, urodynamic testing
Differential diagnosis	Urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, functional incontinence
Prevention	Pelvic floor exercises, weight management, smoking cessation
Treatment	Pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, surgery
Medication	Duloxetine, topical estrogen
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common, especially in women over 40
Deaths	N/A

Diagram of the Zephyr ZSI 375 artificial urinary sphincter

CT scan showing an artificial urethral sphincter

Stress incontinence is a form of urinary incontinence characterized by the involuntary loss of urine during physical activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise. It is the most common form of incontinence in women, particularly those who have had children or are post-menopausal.

Causes

Stress incontinence is caused by a weakening of the muscles and tissues that support the bladder and regulate the release of urine. This weakening can occur as a result of childbirth, aging, or other factors that strain the pelvic floor muscles, such as heavy lifting or chronic coughing.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine during activities that increase abdominal pressure. The amount of urine lost can vary from a few drops to a tablespoon or more, depending on the severity of the condition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of stress incontinence involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, as well as tests to measure the amount of urine in the bladder before and after urination, and the pressure in the bladder and urethra. Other tests may include a cystoscopy or urodynamic tests.

Treatment

Treatment for stress incontinence can involve lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, medications, or surgery. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and the patient's overall health and preferences.

See also

• Urinary incontinence
• Overactive bladder
• Pelvic organ prolapse