The function of the urethral blood flow in maintaining urinary continence. A preliminary report.

Urethral pressure is made up of three components, equal in size: the striated muscle component, the smooth muscle component, and the vascular component. Anti-embolism stockings have been helpful in bringing about significant improvement in blood flow through the lower extremities. A pilot study was undertaken with 15 women to find out whether or not the same approach led to increase in urethral pressure. Simultaneous urethrocystometry was applied to women with and without stockings. Significant rise in urethral pressure was recorded from women with urinary stress incontinence who used stockings. Four of eight incontinent women were improved to continence by means of stockings.