What is the primary treatment for stress incontinence?

The primary treatment for stress incontinence is pelvic floor exercises, often referred to as Kegel exercises. These exercises focus on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and help control urination. By enhancing muscle tone and control, patients can experience a reduction in involuntary leakage during activities that increase abdominal pressure, like coughing, sneezing, or exercise.

Engagement in pelvic floor exercises is typically recommended as a first-line conservative approach, especially for patients with mild to moderate symptoms. This method is non-invasive and has been shown to improve symptoms sustainably over time with consistent practice. It can also be beneficial as part of a broader management plan, potentially in combination with other treatments if necessary.

Surgical options, while effective for more severe cases, are generally considered later in the treatment hierarchy, after conservative measures like pelvic floor exercises have been attempted. Other options such as antidepressants and hormone therapy are not standard treatments specifically for stress incontinence and do not address the underlying issue of weakened pelvic support in the same manner that pelvic exercises do.