Urinary incontinence in women. Evaluation in the primary-care office

Urinary incontinence in women is common and can be a significant social problem. The most common type is stress incontinence, caused by displacement of the bladder neck and urethra and experienced during activities that increase intraabdominal pressure. Other types are urge, overflow, and mixed incontinence. Diagnosis of the type and cause can usually be made using simple, cost-effective office procedures. Nonsurgical treatment is often successful and may consist of pharmacologic management, intermittent self-catheterization, Kegel exercises, and use of a mechanical device.