[Female urinary incontinence: a review]

Female urinary incontinence is a frequent problem. The diagnosis is quite easy, but a precise interview and often an urodynamic exam have to be performed to assess the aetiology. Multiple pathologies cause incontinence. The therapeutic possibilities are various, especially for stress incontinence and urge. Stress, urge and mixed incontinence are the most frequent types. The diagnosis is clinical and in certain circumstances, paraclinic investigations and a specialised consultation are mandatory. Therapeutic success depends from a thorough diagnosis with a treatment based on several parameters, depending on the type of incontinence. The treatment will be medical, physiotherapy or surgery. Success rates varies in function of the type of incontinence. With new surgical techniques, the success rate for stress incontinence is as high as 90%.