Female Urinary Incontinence Surgery
Female urinary incontinence surgery treats stress incontinence — leaking urine when you cough, laugh, sneeze or exercise — when pelvic-floor exercises and conservative measures have not worked well enough. The main options are a mid-urethral sling and colposuspension, both of which support the tube that carries urine (the urethra) so it stays closed under pressure.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Stress urinary incontinence is the leaking of urine when pressure rises in the abdomen — with coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting or exercise. It is common and treatable, and it is nothing to feel embarrassed about. Surgery is considered when conservative measures, especially supervised pelvic-floor muscle training, together with weight and fluid adjustments, have not given enough relief. The aim is to support the urethra so it stays closed when you strain.
The two main operations are a mid-urethral sling, in which a narrow strip of material is placed under the urethra to support it, and colposuspension, in which the tissues beside the neck of the bladder are lifted and stitched to a nearby ligament. Slings may use a synthetic mesh tape or, in some cases, your own tissue; because mesh has been the subject of safety concerns, the surgeon discusses the material options, their benefits and their risks with you so you can make an informed choice. Recurrent stress incontinence after previous treatment is less common and needs a more detailed specialist review to choose the safest option. A different kind of leakage — overactive-bladder or urge incontinence, where a sudden strong need to pass urine leads to leaks — is usually treated without surgery first, with bladder training and medication, and assessment helps tell the two types apart.
Before any surgery is planned, assessment often includes urodynamics, a test that measures how your bladder fills and empties, to confirm the type of incontinence and guide the choice of operation. For international patients, a dedicated coordinator arranges the evaluation and provides a written plan and a transparent, itemized cost estimate before travel, and our urologists and gynecologists can review your reports and test results remotely first.
Who is a candidate?
- Women with stress incontinence — leaking urine on coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercise
- Those whose symptoms persist despite supervised pelvic-floor therapy and conservative measures
- Women whose leakage significantly affects daily life, activity or confidence
- Women with recurrent leakage after previous treatment who need specialist reassessment
- Patients whose type of incontinence has been confirmed, often with urodynamic testing
- Women who have discussed the sling and colposuspension options, including material choices, with their surgeon
- Those generally fit enough for surgery and anesthesia
What happens
- 1
Assessment
Your specialist reviews your symptoms and a bladder diary, examines you and often arranges urodynamic testing to confirm stress incontinence and rule out an overactive bladder, which is treated differently.
- 2
Choosing the approach
You and your surgeon discuss the options — a mid-urethral sling or colposuspension — and, for slings, the material choices and their benefits and risks, so the plan fits your anatomy and your preferences.
- 3
The procedure
Under general or spinal anesthesia, the surgeon either places a supportive sling beneath the urethra through small incisions or, in colposuspension, lifts and secures the tissues beside the bladder neck to support the urethra.
- 4
Early recovery
Many women go home the same day or after one night. Your team checks that your bladder empties properly before discharge and explains wound care and what to expect in the first weeks.
- 5
Follow-up
You are reviewed to see how your symptoms have improved and to check healing. International patients receive written instructions and remote follow-up support after returning home.
Benefits
- Can substantially reduce or stop urine leakage with coughing, laughing and exercise
- Restores confidence to take part in daily activities, work and social life
- Mid-urethral slings are often done through small incisions with a short recovery
- Offers a lasting option when pelvic-floor therapy alone has not been enough
- Choice of techniques and materials so the operation can be matched to you
Risks & considerations
- Difficulty emptying the bladder afterward, which may be temporary or, less often, longer-lasting
- New or worsened urgency — a sudden strong need to pass urine
- Return of leaking over time (recurrence), sometimes needing further treatment
- Mesh-related problems with synthetic slings, such as exposure, pain or discomfort, which is why materials are discussed carefully
- Infection, bleeding or injury to nearby structures, and the usual risks of anesthesia
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is performed by our Urology Department.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Female Urinary Incontinence Surgery — frequently asked questions
Surgery is usually considered for stress incontinence when supervised pelvic-floor exercises and conservative measures have not given enough relief. It is a common, treatable problem, and your specialist confirms the type of leakage before recommending an operation.
A mid-urethral sling places a narrow strip of material under the urethra to support it, while colposuspension lifts and stitches the tissues beside the bladder neck. Both aim to keep the urethra closed under pressure, and your surgeon advises which suits you.
That sounds more like urge or overactive-bladder incontinence, which is different from stress incontinence and is usually treated without surgery first, using bladder training and medication. Assessment, including urodynamic testing, helps tell the two types apart.
Slings may use a synthetic mesh tape or, in some cases, your own tissue, and colposuspension uses no mesh at all. Because mesh has been the subject of safety concerns, your surgeon discusses the material options and their benefits and risks so you can decide with full information.
Stress incontinence is very common and nothing to be embarrassed about, and many women see a real improvement after treatment. Your team frames every step respectfully and helps you weigh conservative measures against surgery for your situation.
Many of these operations are day-case or need one night, with light activity in a week or two and heavier tasks avoided for about four to six weeks; your coordinator confirms the timeline. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case and do not quote fixed prices online because each plan is individual.
Related treatments
Considering female urinary incontinence surgery?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.