[Age, gynecologic status and urinary stress incontinence]

Based on a series of 1,000 female patients examined in office practice, the authors of this study seek to define the incidence of USI according to the patient's age gynecological status. Concerning age, this factor only has a clear effect in patients over 35 years of age. No significant difference in the incidence of USI was observed between sexually active women over 35, women approaching the menopause or post menopausal women; for this reason, the authors believe that in these cases, USI is related more to concomitant factors than to trophic lesions which however certainly are also present. During pregnancy, USI frequently occurs during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters; in contrast, in the first trimester of pregnancy, frequently there is increased intraabdominal pressure thus explaining why the incidence of USI is less than in sexually active women.