Urinary incontinence is a frequent medical condition in women that has severe consequences on patients’perception of quality of life and sexual life. The aim of this contribution is to analyse the range of the available treatments to evaluate short-term and long-term outcomes focusing on patients’psychological well-being.

The paper provides a theoretical contribution to the treatment of urinary incontinence. The authors have consulted the main scientific search engines such as Pubmed, Medline and PsycInfo, taking into account recent publications from 2000 to 2007.

Several kinds of treatment were taken into account to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in providing short-term and long-term outcomes not only as to physiological aspects but also as to psychosexual well-being. Moreover, the role of a support group was studied as an important variable in the treatment outcomes.

Literature analysis of traditional, combined and alternative treatments for urinary incontinence shows the importance of using an integrative approach. The pathogenesis heterogeneity of incontinence requires a multidisciplinary approach taking into account psychosomatic and somatopsychic components of the disorder. The integrative approach considers the importance of partner role in the aetiology and the efficacy of treatment. This approach uses several professional figures such as gynaecologist, urologist, psycho-sexologist and pelvic-floor rehabilitator. Many authors think that a support group improves the treatment efficacy because it can reduce psychosocial stress and enhance motivation.