Abstract

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• INTRODUCTION:

  Stress urinary incontinence is a common and costly condition amongst community dwelling women. It can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life and yet less than half of women with urinary incontinence seek medical attention. It is important for primary care physicians to have a clear understanding of stress urinary incontinence in order to screen and manage patients who may have bothersome symptoms.

  OBJECTIVE:

  This article aims to outline the terminology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation and treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.

  CONCLUSION:

  Female stress urinary incontinence can be effectively evaluated and managed in the primary setting. Specialist referral is warranted when there is complex urinary symptomatology, hematuria on work-up or failure of conservative therapy.