Stress urinary incontinence Involuntary urine loss due to physical efforts

It consists of involuntary loss of urine during physical exertion.

The cause is predominantly related to the urethra, its sphincters and some pelvic floor muscles, which are insufficient to contain urine during daily activities.

In women, vaginal births, especially if using forceps or suction cups, associated with lacerations and / or high weight fetuses at birth, are the main risk factors. Frequently observed postmenopausal vaginal atrophy and obesity are equally relevant risk and worsening factors.

In stress urinary incontinence, patients usually complain of losses occurring when they cough, sneeze or lift weights.

The treatment of this pathology aims to return to the urethra its proper support, so that it is occluded at the moment of exertion. Rehabilitation of muscle groups involved in continence may be feasible depending on the cause, severity of incontinence and patient preference. If it is undesirable or ineffective, the solution should be submitted to surgery, the most frequent being transvaginal suburethral tape placement - minimally invasive surgery with high success rates.