Estrogen and urinary incontinence in women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of estrogen therapy for urinary incontinence by examining published trials and to review the epidemiologic and physiologic evidence for its action.


METHODS
Controlled and uncontrolled trials of estrogen therapy in the English literature were collected. Eight controlled and 14 uncontrolled trials were identified.


METHODS
Trials were selected if they were prospective. All types of estrogen treatment were included. All types of outcome measurements were included.


METHODS
Trials were categorized by type of estrogen used; outcome variables (subjective improvement vs objective urodynamic data); and cure/improvement rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Published trials do not support estrogen replacement as efficacious therapy for stress urinary incontinence. It may be useful for incontinence associated with urgency and frequency. Adequately large controlled trials that evaluate estrogen replacement regimens used in the USA remain to be done.
Sultana
C J
CJ
Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Walters
M D
MD
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology