CURRENT CONCEPTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF STRESS URINARY-INCONTINENCE

Stress urinary incontinence affects many among the female population. Although the exact incidence is difficult to determine, over 100,000 o perations are performed each year in the United States for this afflic tion. A large number of females live with SUI rather than seek treatme nt either from lack of knowledge of their options or sadly, often from physician ignorance. The lack of therapy is expensive in economic ter ms for protective pads and garments. It also affects the patient psych ologically causing inhibition of lifestyle. With proper evaluation uti lizing patient history, physical examination, laboratory findings and urodynamics when indicated and management tailored to fit the patient' s needs, many of these women can become functional again.