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[Obstruction of the lower urinary tract in women]
1Servicio de Urología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España. mjcidre00@hotmail.com
Objectives:
To review the literature on female bladder outlet obstruction.
Methods:
Female lower urinary tract obstruction clinical and urodynamic diagnostic criteria are defined.
Results:
The main etiologic processes are identified: 1) Obstruction secondary to pelvic organ prolapse; 2) Postsurgical obstruction; 3) Uncoordinated voiding; 4) Detrusor-striated sphincter dyssinergia; 5) Bladder neck primary obstruction. The diagnostic features and various available treatments depending on the etiology (pharmacological, reeducative or surgical) are commented.
Conclusions:
Bladder outlet obstruction in the female is an underdiagnosed process frequently, which presents with a clinical picture different than in males, and demands a careful study from the urologist in order to identify the anatomical or functional cause. It will always be important to keep a high level of suspicion, mainly after treatment failures for voiding syndromes or recurrent urinary tract infections.