Care for Women’s Urinary Incontinence

Chuan-Hsiu TsaiTaiwan Speaker Care for Women’s Urinary IncontinenceBackground: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition among women worldwide, affecting quality of life, social participation, and psychological well-being. While pharmacological and surgical treatments exist, first-line management increasingly emphasizes non-invasive, lifestyle-based interventions. This presentation aims to synthesize current evidence on lifestyle interventions for female UI, highlight their mechanisms, efficacy, and limitations, and discuss clinical implications for integrative patient-centered care. A narrative review of recent literature, including systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, was undertaken to evaluate the role of lifestyle factors—such as pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), weight management, fluid and caffeine intake modification, smoking cessation, and physical activity—in UI prevention and management. Lifestyle interventions demonstrate significant benefits, particularly in stress and mixed UI. PFMT remains the most effective and evidence-based non-surgical strategy, with long-term adherence improving continence rates. Weight reduction in overweight women is associated with substantial improvement in UI severity, while caffeine and fluid intake adjustments yield modest benefits. Smoking cessation and regular exercise further support bladder health by reducing chronic cough and enhancing overall pelvic floor integrity. Despite their effectiveness, adherence remains a critical challenge, underscoring the need for patient education, motivational strategies, and multidisciplinary support. Lifestyle modification provides a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to managing female UI. As healthcare systems increasingly prioritize preventive and conservative strategies, empowering women through education and tailored interventions is essential. Integrating lifestyle counseling into routine clinical practice not only alleviates symptoms but also enhances long-term bladder health and overall well-being. Keywords: Urinary incontinence, Women’s health, Lifestyle intervention, Pelvic floor muscle training, Weight management, Preventive care.Care for Women’s Urinary Incontinence