Modern strategies of conservative treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/HW.2025.5(180).7682Keywords:
stress urinary incontinence, conservative therapy, lifestyle modification, pelvic floor muscle training, pharmacological therapy, electrical stimulation, vaginal cone, urethral obturatorAbstract
The prevalence of stress urinary incontinence among non-pregnant women aged 20 years and older ranges from 27% to 64%. Various methods of conservative therapy are used as first-line treatment for urinary incontinence, including lifestyle and dietary modifications, pelvic floor muscle training, pharmacological therapy, electrical stimulation, the use of vaginal cones or urethral obturators.
Aim - to summarize current evidence on the effectiveness and safety of conservative methods for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women in order to form clinical competencies, promote patient-centered approaches, and ensure coordinated care among healthcare professionals.
Contemporary domestic and foreign research were identified and analyzed using available literary sources and electronic databases. This review evaluates current data on the effectiveness of various conservative treatment methods for stress urinary incontinence in women. Behavioral therapy and pelvic floor muscle training are recommended as primary first-line treatments. If these prove insufficient, the use of vaginal support devices, such as pessaries, may be considered as the next step in management. Notably, no pharmacological therapy has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for SUI in women. Further controlled studies evaluating the long-term outcomes of various non-surgical treatment modalities (urethral bulking injections, laser and radiofrequency therapy, stem cell injections, etc.) are required.
Conclusions. The range of conservative treatment options for stress urinary incontinence is quite broad. When selecting a potential treatment method, its potential benefits and possible side effects affecting other aspects of a woman’s life should be taken into account.
No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
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