Intravaginal and intraurethral devices

Abstract

Pelvic-floor physiotherapy remains the mainstay of conservative treatment for women with urinary stress incontinence. Various intravaginal and intraurethral devices have been developed for women who continue to suffer from troublesome stress incontinence despite pelvic-floor rehabilitation. The advent of new, highly effective, minimally invasive surgical treatments for stress incontinence and the new pharmaceutical agent, duloxetine, has reduced the demand for non-surgical treatments. Some women, who wish to avoid surgery, or for whom stress incontinence is only troublesome during predictable periods of exercise, may still wish to use such devices. Whilst reduced demand has led to problems in supply of these devices, they are obtainable and offer a useful choice for women with stress urinary incontinence.