How can we effectively treat stress urinary incontinence without drugs or surgery?

Intravaginal electrical stimulation improves continence and symptoms

A meta-analysis of 7 RCTs found that intravaginal electrical stimulation increased continence compared with sham treatment.1 A meta-analysis of 8 RCTs found that intravaginal electrical stimulation also improved SUI symptoms.¹ All of the trials used electrical stimulation at frequencies between 4 and 50 Hz for 15 to 20 minutes, 1 to 3 times daily for 4 to 15 weeks.

Pelvic floor muscle training increases urinary continence and improves symptoms of stress urinary incontinence and quality of life.

Percutaneous electrical stimulation improves symptoms

A meta-analysis of 3 RCTs found that percutaneous electrical stimulation improved SUI symptoms compared with no active treatment. Four RCTs found that electrical stimulation improved QOL, although a meta-analysis couldn’t be performed because of clinical heterogeneity.¹