From a questionnaire survey dealing with urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth 62 women were randomly selected. These women underwent simultaneous urethrocystometry including urethral profile measurement 7–14 days after parturition. From the case history two groups of patients could be distinguished. One group consisted of women who experienced only occasionally urine leakage after delivery. Pressure recordings in these previous patients were normal, moreover the urethral closure pressure was positive, also at cough provocations. The urethral length and pressure were similar to that found in continent females. The other group of patients reported stress incontinence of a more serious and permanent nature; the symptoms did not disappear after delivery. In all these women negative urethral closure pressures were recorded at cough provocations and simultaneously leakage of urine from the urethra was observed. In addition the urethral length was shorter and urethral resting pressure lower than that recorded in the first group of patients. The reversible symptoms in the first group of women may be a consequence of the pressure exerted by the uterus upon the bladder at coughing combined with a hormonal relaxation of the urethral suspension. In the second group, the enduring symptoms suggest irreversible damage to the urethra and its suspension system during pregnancy.

Keywords:
Stress incontinence, Simultaneous urethrocystometry, Puerperium
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1981 S. Karger AG, Basel
1981
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.