Stress urinary incontinence:

E. Is a disease of aging produced by shortening of the urethra.

DISCUSSION: Stress urinary incontinence is seen principally in older females and is produced by pelvic floor relaxation with shortening of urethral length. The symptom of stress urinary incontinence is urinary leakage produced by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, as with straining to lift or to laugh. Urgency and frequency are symptoms of urge incontinence, not stress incontinence. Stress incontinence classically is not seen either in males or in young females who have good pelvic floor support.