Stress Urinary Incontinence I: Nonsurgical Management

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Conservative management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is generally offered as first-line treatment. Such treatment options include behavioral therapy, pelvic floor muscle therapy, vaginal devices, pharmacologic therapy, and urethral bulking agents. Weight loss management is an example of an effective behavioral strategy in obese patients. Pelvic floor physical therapy alone or under the supervision of skilled providers can significantly improve SUI; however, long-term effects are harder to maintain. Pessaries, vaginal cones, and vaginal inserts have been widely used for treatment of SUI and are beneficial in patients who are motivated to use them. Currently in the United States, there is no FDA-approved medication for the treatment of SUI. Conversely, the European Union has approved and used duloxetine. Urethral bulking agents are indicated for patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency and sometimes used in patients who are not able to undergo surgical procedures for SUI or who have failed said procedures. Three materials are currently FDA approved for urethral bulking in the United States. Many options exist for the nonsurgical management of SUI. This review contains 5 tables and 47 references Key words: Stress Urinary Incontinence, conservative treatment, urethral bulking, pelvic floor exercises, incontinence pessaries.