Oestrogen therapy for urinary incontinence in post-menopausal women.

Background: It is possible that oestrogen deficiency may be an aetiological factor in the development of urinary incontinence in women. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2003 and subsequently updated in 2009.

Objectives: To assess the effects of local and systemic oestrogens used for the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Predictors of female urinary incontinence at midlife and beyond.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is an important middle age health issue and approximately 20% of women over 40 years of age have problems with continence. Urinary incontinence poses a significant negative impact on social functioning and quality of life to many individuals. It is estimated that around three million people are regularly incontinent in the UK with a prevalence of about 40 per 1000 adults.

Oestrogen therapy for urinary incontinence in post-menopausal women.

Background: It is possible that oestrogen deficiency may be an aetiological factor in the development of urinary incontinence in women.

Objectives: To assess the effects of local and systemic oestrogens used for the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Search Strategy: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Register of trials (2 April 2009) and the reference lists of relevant articles.

An evidence-based approach to lifestyle interventions in urogynaecology.

Urinary incontinence, urgency, overactive bladder symptoms, cystitis and urinary tract infections are common conditions that collectively trouble over one-third of the female population around and beyond the time of menopause, with a detrimental effect on physical, social and mental wellbeing. Apart from pharmacological and surgical treatments, a long list of lifestyle, behavioural, physical and complementary interventions have been introduced over the years to relieve lower urinary tract symptoms. This review examines the effect on these symptoms of lifestyle factors (such as weight, smoking, dietary components, fluid intake, exercise and bowel habit), complementary therapies (such as herbal remedies, acupuncture and hypnotherapy), behavioural therapies (bladder training and timed and prompted voiding), pelvic floor muscle training and some over-the-counter preparations.

Which procedure for incontinence?

Approximately 16-29% of women will complain of incontinence at the menopause. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment is essential and surgery is usually reserved for women who have failed to improve sufficiently with conservative measures, such as pelvic floor exercises. The Burch colposuspension remains the 'gold standard' procedure for stress urinary incontinence, against which all newer procedures are compared.

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial on the effects of 25 mg estradiol implants on the urge syndrome in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was to determine the effect of systemic estrogen on the 'urge syndrome' in postmenopausal women. The trial took place in a tertiary referral urogynecology unit. Postmenopausal women with the 'urge syndrome' were randomly allocated to receive a 25 mg 17beta-estradiol implant or placebo implant.

Oestrogens for urinary incontinence in women.

Background: It is possible that oestrogen deficiency may be an aetiological factor in the development of urinary incontinence in women.

Objectives: To assess the effects of oestrogens used for the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Search Strategy: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group trials register (November 2002) and the reference lists of relevant articles.

The impact of the menstrual cycle on urinary symptoms and the results of urodynamic investigation.

Four hundred and eighty-three consecutive women referred for videocystourethrography completed a structured questionnaire about their menstrual status and urinary symptoms. Women were included in the study if they were premenopausal, had a regular menstrual cycle and were not taking hormonal therapy. One hundred and thirty-three women satisfied the inclusion criteria of whom 55 (41%) complained that their urinary symptoms were cyclical.

Does the menopause influence the risk of bacteriuria?

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the risk of bacteriuria is increased as a result of estrogen deprivation following the menopause. All midstream urine samples (MSU) sent to the King's College Hospital department of microbiology by general practitioners in 1997 were assessed. Bacteriuria was diagnosed when the bacterial count was >10(5) organisms/ml.

The role of estrogen supplementation in lower urinary tract dysfunction.

The female lower urinary and genital tracts both arise from the primitive urogenital sinus and develop in close anatomical proximity. Sex hormones have a substantial influence on the female lower urinary tract throughout adult life, with fluctuations in their level leading to macroscopic, histological and functional changes. Urinary symptoms may therefore develop during the menstrual cycle, in pregnancy and following the menopause.

Oestrogens and lower urinary tract function.

There is increasing evidence from animal and human studies that sex steroids have an important effect on the female lower urinary tract during adult life. Oestrogen receptors have been identified throughout the brain, pontine micturition centre and in the bladder, urethra and pelvic floor. Fluctuations in the circulating level of oestrogens and progesterone occurring during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy influence the prevalence of urinary symptoms and the results of urodynamic investigation.

Lower urinary tract symptoms and their impact on women with anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is a condition which is associated with extremely low body weight and endocrine problems including persistent anovulation and a hypo-oestrogenic state. As the lower urinary tract is oestrogen sensitive, it is possible that women suffering from anorexia nervosa may experience similar distressing urinary problems. Of 29 anorexic women assessed, the majority had significant irritative urinary symptoms of which frequency, urgency and nocturia were the most common.

Colposuspension after previous failed incontinence surgery: a prospective observational study.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of colposuspension for genuine stress incontinence in women who had previously undergone bladder neck surgery.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Tertiary referral urogynaecology unit.

Videocystourethrography with a ring pessary in situ. A clinically useful preoperative investigation for continent women with urogenital prolapse?

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of a vaginal pessary in the detection of genuine stress incontinence (GSI) in women with urogenital prolapse undergoing urodynamic investigation. Continent women with urogenital prolapse, with or without associated urinary symptoms, were studied. All underwent videocystourethrography using a standardized protocol.

Managing postmenopausal cystitis.

Cystitis caused by prolonged estrogen deprivation may be grossly underreported. This may be why many advocates of hormone replacement therapy focus on its cardiovascular and skeletal benefits while ignoring the bladder and urethra.

Pregnancy following a single lung transplant.

Successful pregnancy in a single lung transplant recipient has not been reported previously. The long term effect of pregnancy on graft function and management of deteriorating pulmonary function is not defined. This case describes the management, outcome, and problems encountered when a single lung transplant recipient developed a progressive deterioration in pulmonary function during pregnancy, attributed to accelerated obliterative bronchiolitis.

Mucosal concentration and excretion of clindamycin by the human stomach.

Each of 12 patients undergoing routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy received a single iv infusion of clindamycin phosphate 300 mg over 10 min. During the endoscopy, mucosal biopsies of the gastric antrum and fundus were obtained at varying times following the infusion. The clindamycin concentrations in the biopsies and in serum samples also taken after the infusion were determined.