Lower urinary tract symptoms in women-a common but neglected problem.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to provide nurse practitioners (NPs) an understanding of female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).


METHODS
Scientific literature including articles on epidemiology, assessment, impact on quality of life (QoL), treatment barriers, and management.


CONCLUSIONS
Female LUTS are common and adversely affect QoL. Nevertheless, the social stigma prevents many women from seeking treatment, and healthcare providers often lack adequate time to inquire about bladder health. Although LUTS are not life threatening, the impact is tremendous, and there is an urgent need for healthcare providers to improve management of chronic conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
NPs should play a role in driving this response by increasing awareness of LUTS, taking the lead in examining barriers to treatment, and providing long-term support to patients.
Bradway
Christine
C
School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6096, USA. cwb@nursing.upenn.edu
Coyne
Karin S
KS
Irwin
Debra
D
Kopp
Zoe
Z
D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology