Perineal physiotherapy in the treatment of female urinary incontinence as an alternative to surgery.

Perineal physiotherapy without electrostimulation was applied in 129 women with stress (59), urge (49) or mixed (15) incontinence (66 stable bladders and urethras, 22 unstable bladders. 46 unstable urethras), and in 10 women presenting only enuresis (7) or only pollakisuria (3). The exercises consisted of two parts: 1) awareness of the perineal muscles involved by biofeedback, and 2) thorough training of these muscles by individually adapted schemes. A large group of patients (26%) discontinued this treatment because of the active involvement it requires. 36% of patients are completely dry within 3 months, another 28% report some amelioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]