Simple practical techniques in the management of urinary incontinence

Abstract
Surgery for incontinence should be reserved for specific indications where its value as a primary treatment has been proven. Otherwise surgery should not be employed until a wide range of conservative treatments have been tried and have failed. The conservative methods of management outlined below include "bladder training' using frequency/volume charts to monitor, and alter, the pattern of micturition and number of episodes of incontinence, re-education of the pelvic floor muscles, intermittent self-catheterization, hormone replacement therapy, regulation of fluid intake and bowel habit, discriminate use of diuretics and hypnotics and adjustments to domestic conditions.