Effects of oestradiol and combined norephedrin and oestradiol treatment on female stress incontinence.

Thirteen postmenopausal stress incontinent women were treated with oestradiol for one month, and then with oestradiol in combination with norephedrine or placebo according to a double-blind, cross-over schedule. Therapeutic results were assessed by measuring changes in urethral closure pressure profile (UCPP) by means of micro transducer catheters, and by the patient's subjective assessment of the effects. Oestradiol had no effect on the symptom stress incontinence or on UCPP. Norephedrine in combination with oestradiol had a statistically significant therapeutic effect on the symptoms of the patients, and increased UCPP. However, the combination did not increase UCPP more than did norephedrine alone.