Urodynamics in climacteric women with urinary incontinence: correlation with route of delivery

The aim of this study was to compare the urodynamic findings among climacteric women complaining of urinary incontinence who had only vaginal deliveries with those who had only cesarean sections. The study group comprised 30 climacteric women with complaints of urinary incontinence consulting at the Menopause Outpatient Clinic, State University of Campinas, submitted to anamneses and complete urodynamic testing. Nineteen women had had only vaginal deliveries and 11 were delivered only by cesarean section. Vaginal delivery was significantly associated with a reduced normal and strong desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity compared to women who delivered only by Cesarean section. Detrusor instability was four to five times more frequent among women who had had only vaginal deliveries. There was no difference between the two groups concerning uroflowmetry parameters. Climacteric women with urinary incontinence who had had only vaginal deliveries are at a higher risk of urodynamic abnormalities.