Urinary Incontinence in Women

NICE guideline [NG123] Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management. Last updated: Jun 2019. TO BE REVIEWED!

Guidelines

Approach:
  • 1st line: conservative management + bladder retrianing
  • 2nd line: pharmacological management
  • 3rd line: invasive management
 

  • Regulate fluid intake
  • Avoid bladder stimulants
  • Bladder retraining for 6 weeks

  • 1st line: anti-cholinergic (e.g. oxybutynin, darifenacin, tolterodine)
  • 2nd line: beta-3 receptor agonist (e.g. mirabegon, vibegron)

 

Common reasons to avoid anti-muscarinics are:

  • Glaucoma
  • Patient of old age / at risk of cognitive impairment / with cognitive impairment
  • Known myasthenia gravis

Options:
  • Botulinum toxin A injection - if there is proven detrusor overactivity
  • Percutaneous sacral nerve stimulation 
  • Augmentation cystoplasty 
  • Urinary diversion via ileal conduit

Approach:
  • 1st line: conservative management + pelvic floor muscle training for at least 3 months
  • 2nd line: pharmacological or invasive management
 

  • Weight loss
  • Regulate fluid intake
  • Avoid bladder stimulants
 
  • Pelvic floor muscle training for at least 3 months (at least 8 contractions, 3 times per day)

Consider duloxetine, if patients prefers pharmacological management over invasive management.

Options:
  • Colposupension
  • Autologous rectus fascial sling
  • Retropubic mid-urethral mesh sling

Consider intramural bulking agents if the above are not suitable / acceptable.
Author: Adams Lau
Reviewer:
Last edited: 25/04/25