Stress urinary incontinence: issues and answers for women.

: Women's healthcare issues have become increasingly important. Specific healthcare issues, including management of high blood pressure, obesity, and menopause have been on the forefront for years. Today, urinary incontinence in women of all ages is seen as a major healthcare concern. The impetus for this increased awareness began in 1988 at the National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Adult Urinary Incontinence, which was followed by the publication of the Guideline for Adult Urinary Incontinence by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research in 1992. Since that time, there has been an increased focus on the problem of urinary incontinence. Many hope that more women will seek professional guidance for the evaluation and management of urinary incontinence as a result of this increased awareness. Healthcare professionals need to be current on the various options available for the management of urinary incontinence, particularly stress urinary incontinence, as it commonly affects women.