28/01/2026
Stress urinary incontinence is involuntary leakage of urine when you cough, laugh, sneeze or jump or run
It effects between 20 and 50% of women, through all ages and life stages and can greatly effect quality of life
First line treatment is lifestyle management (looking at fluid intake and diet and exercise) and Physiotherapy to optimise the pelvic floor muscles.
This works well for up to 80% of patients
The next step for those who continue to have bothersome symptoms is to go for a surgical consult where they can discuss with their symptoms, needs and preferences and listen to the options available to them in terms of surgical intervention
Surgical options in Ireland are currently limited.
Worldwide the mid urethral sling is gold standard treatment for stress urinary incontinence.
Some Irish women have opted to travel abroad to avail of this surgery.
Surgeons in Ireland are working to bring the mid urethral sling procedure back to Ireland to give women the option to choose
Follow for more information on surgical options
