Working Algorithm for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Abstract

Management of female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is often not well understood among general practitioners, gynecologists, and even urologists. There are no specific guidelines in this regard, particularly for management of voiding dysfunction. This chapter presents a broad outlook to stepwise rational management of female LUTS in outpatient clinic, based upon current literature and clinical practices. In general, any associated gynecological, neurological, or other co-morbid illnesses should be treated simultaneously. The diagnosis of voiding dysfunction requires a minimum of uroflowmetry and post-void residue, but the index of suspicion must be kept high for any patient coming with LUTS irrespective of the presence of voiding symptoms. A simplistic algorithmic approach to females presenting with LUTS is presented.