[Therapeutic options in female stress urinary incontinence]

Stress urinary incontinence in female patients is characterised by loss of urine without the need to urinate. Causes are manifold and require a good knowledge of the pelvic floor structures and the functionality of the bladder's occlusion system. Before any treatment can be initiated, differentiated diagnostic investigation must uncover the causes in order to be able to show incontinent women the ideal therapeutic options. In addition to conservative treatment strategies, there are several surgical alternatives available that can be used depending on the functional and/or anatomical deficit. Surgical correction produces good results, although a minor rate of possible complications must be accepted.