title: Urinary incontinence evaluation and the utility of pessaries in older women.
abstract: Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are common conditions affecting the elderly. A careful evaluation of urinary incontinence, including history and physical examination, will often determine the etiology of this condition. Vaginal pessaries are a safe and efective treatment for both urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. They should be considered a viable alternative to surgery especially in the elderly with complicated medical histories. This article reviews the etiology of urinary incontinence, offers a guide in the evaluation of the incontinent woman, and reviews the use of pessaries for the treatment of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
authors.affiliation: Underwood Memorial Hospital, Family Practice Residency, Woodbury, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roehl
authors.forename: Edward M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Buchanan
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010570:Pessaries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery