Effective Interventions Available To Treat Urinary Incontinence in Women

A new AHRQ evidence review conducted in partnership with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute found that behavioral therapy is better than medication for treating stress and urgency urinary incontinence (UI). Both treatment approaches are better than not treating the problem. The review found evidence to support a range of treatments, including behavioral therapies and behavioral therapy combined with hormones and alpha agonists (for stress UI) and anticholinergics (for urgency UI). The report found that serious adverse effects are rare with medications, but common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, insomnia and fatigue.