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

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 are rare and usually mild. They can include:

• Erosion of surgically placed materials such as a sling or artificial sphincter
• Fistulas or abscesses
• Irritation of the vulva (vaginal lips)
• Pain during intercourse
• Skin breakdown and pressure ulcers in bed- or chair-bound patients
• Unpleasant odors
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal discharge

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

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

Images

Stress incontinence

Female urinary tract

Anterior vaginal wall repair

Male urinary tract

Stress incontinence

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Review Date: 08/30/2009
Reviewed By: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)