Surgery Advised as Treatment for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Surgery should be considered as an initial treatment for female stress urinary incontinence, according to guidelines released Wednesday by the American Urological Assn. A review of medical literature examining surgery showed that the method provides a long-term cure in most cases, an association expert panel stated.

Urinary incontinence affects about 13 million adults in the United States. The guidelines address treatments for stress incontinence, in which leakage occurs because of physical activity.

The guidelines also include a review of the various surgical procedures and recommendations on the benefits and drawbacks of each method. For more information on the guidelines, contact the American Foundation for Urologic Disease at 800 242-2383.