Treatment of Urinary Incontinence – patient information to assist informed consent
This patient education pamphlet provides treatment information on urinary incontinence. The topics discussed include:
- Types of urinary incontinence (including stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence and overflow incontinence)
- Risk factors of urinary incontinence (such as pregnancy, previous pelvic organ prolapse surgery and menopause, among others)
- Diagnostic tests that may be performed (such as ultrasound scans and urodynamic studies)
This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients considering non-surgical and surgical options to treat symptoms. Non-surgical treatment options are described for patients wanting to consider less invasive options for the relief of symptoms. The non-surgical treatment options discussed include pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training and electrical stimulation, among others.
The surgical procedures discussed are: mid-urethral tape procedures, open colposuspension, pubovaginal sling, laparoscopic Burch colposuspension and periurethral injections. The use of transvaginal mesh implants is also discussed in detail.
The treatment of urinary incontinence is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.