Recommendations for urodynamic assessment in the evaluation of women with stress urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common problem that is experienced by women of all ages. The overall evaluation and treatment of incontinence has increased in sophistication, both as a result of the introduction of urodynamic testing in the assessment of patients, and because there are increasing numbers of medical and surgical treatments available for incontinence. What was previously considered a personal problem for women, and which was rarely discussed, has become a more open and acceptable complaint for female patients to bring to their physicians. This Review aims to clarify when urodynamic testing is clearly indicated for patients with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, and describes the current recommendations from three national and international governing bodies. This Review will also highlight some of the ongoing debates over the performance, interpretation, and utility of urodynamic testing, and provide references for further reading on these topics.