Anatomic and functional changes of the lower urinary tract during pregnancy.
Pregnant women usually acknowledge and more or less accept symptoms of urinary frequency, nocturia, and leakage as annoying aspects of pregnancy that are expected to resolve when the pregnancy is over. Studies have shown that urinary symptoms may be more than just "annoying" - the symptoms can markedly reduce quality of life. This article provides an overview of the lower urinary tract during pregnancy, including considerations of symptoms of urinary frequency; nocturia and incontinence; changes in bladder support; and the occurrence of urinary retention, a urologic emergency.
FitzGerald
Mary P
MP
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Urology, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 South First Avenue, Bldg 1003, Room 1004, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. Mfitzg8@lumc.edu
Graziano
Scott
S
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology; D014521:Urethra / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014563:Urodynamics