THE LOWER URINARY-TRACT IN WOMEN - EFFECT OF AGING AND MENOPAUSE ON CONTINENCE

This review paper briefly describes the physiology of the lower urinar y tract in women, with emphasis on the bladder-filling phase and the f actors that effect urinary continence and incontinence. Attention is p laced on the effects of aging and menopause. While most factors influe ncing the bladder-filling phase are thought to be affected by aging an d menopause, the exact correlation and mechanisms are not yet known. C linical data and recent meta-analysis seem to support the theory that estrogen supplementation may have a role in managing urinary incontine nce in postmenopausal women. Without due understanding of the aging pr ocess effect on the function of the lower urinary tract, therapeutic t rials will remain poorly focused.