Common urological problems in women

Significant advances in the management of some common urinary problems have occurred in recent years. Problems that are likely to present to the general practitioner include urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, recurrent bacterial cystitis and interstitial cystitis.

The aim of this article is to highlight the advances that have occurred in the management of these common problems and their management strategy in the primary care setting.

The management of incontinence, particularly stress urinary incontinence includes an accurate diagnosis and treatment tailored to the condition identified. Urinary incontinence due to the overactive and/or underactive bladder is more difficult to cure but significant improvement can be achieved in the majority of people. While severe incontinence requires an accurate diagnosis, non-operative strategies without a urodynamic diagnosis can be used in the treatment of milder forms. It is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis when the patient is not improving with conservative strategies. The problem of recurrent bacterial infections is common in women of all ages but cure should be possible in the majority of affected women. While the enigmatic entity of interstitial cystitis is increasingly recognised in out patients the exact basis for this condition remains obscure. Symptomatic improvement is achievable to a variable degree in most patients.