Urethral function declines by roughly 15% per decade and profoundly contributes to the pathogenesis of urinary incontinence. Individuals with poor urethral function are more likely to fail surgical management for stress incontinence that focus on improving urethral support. The reduced number of intramuscular nerves and the morphologic changes in muscle and connective tissue collectively impact urethral function as women age. Imaging technologies like MRI and ultrasound have advanced our understanding of these changes. However, substantial knowledge gaps remain. Addressing these gaps can be crucial for developing better prevention and treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for aging women.
The Urologic clinics of North America. 2024 Mar 08 [Epub]
Andrew S Afyouni, Yi Xi Wu, Ulysses G J Balis, John DeLancey, Zhina Sadeghi
Division of Neurourology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Urology, University of California Irvine, 3800 W. Chapman Avenue, Suite 7200, Orange, CA 92868, USA., Division of Pathology Informatics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC Building 35, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, L4208 UH South, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA., Division of Neurourology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Urology, University of California Irvine, 3800 W. Chapman Avenue, Suite 7200, Orange, CA 92868, USA. Electronic address: .