Evidence and Consensus About Prevention of Fecal and Urinary Incontinence

Among the conclusions of an NIH panel: Behavioral changes to avoid obesity, increase physical activity, improve diet, and stop smoking can lower risk for incontinence.

A National Institutes of Health panel has issued a state-of-the-science statement on the prevention of fecal and urinary incontinence. The panel’s conclusions were based on a systematic evidence review, presentations by investigators, and discussion during a public session.

The panel concluded the following:

Behavioral changes aimed at avoiding obesity, increasing physical activity, improving diet, and smoking cessation can lower risk for incontinence.
Pelvic-floor muscle training and biofeedback can prevent and reverse pregnancy-related fecal and urinary incontinence in the first year after delivery and might prevent urinary incontinence in older women and in men who have undergone prostate surgery.
Effective management of comorbid conditions …

Reviewing Author

Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM