Urinary incontinence affects roughly one in three women and one in ten men at some point in life, ranging from occasional leaks to complete loss of bladder control. Treatment depends on the type — stress incontinence from weak pelvic muscles, urge incontinence from overactive bladder, or overflow from incomplete emptying. Current options include pelvic floor exercises, medications that calm bladder spasms, nerve stimulation devices, and surgical procedures to support the urethra.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing newer medications that target bladder nerves more selectively, implantable nerve stimulators that can be adjusted wirelessly, and regenerative approaches using stem cells or growth factors to strengthen pelvic tissue. Researchers are also studying how hormones, diet, and microbiome changes affect bladder control, and testing at-home biofeedback devices that guide pelvic floor training.
Selective nerve targeting
New medications aim to calm overactive bladders without causing dry mouth or constipation, which are common with current pills. Some trials are testing drugs that work only on bladder nerves, leaving other parts of the body unaffected.
Regenerative treatments
Studies are testing whether stem cells or growth factors injected into pelvic muscles can strengthen tissues weakened by childbirth or aging. Early results suggest some people regain muscle function that physical therapy alone couldn't restore.
Advanced nerve stimulation
Newer implants allow doctors to adjust stimulation settings wirelessly without additional surgery. Some devices are small enough to place through a needle rather than requiring an incision.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on incontinence type, severity and duration of symptoms, prior treatments tried, and whether other conditions like prolapse or neurological disease are present.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Testing pills or patches for overactive bladder, aiming to reduce urgency and frequency with fewer side effects than current drugs.
- Device trials — Studies of nerve stimulators, pessaries, or external devices that strengthen pelvic muscles or reduce bladder signals.
- Regenerative trials — Testing injections of stem cells, growth factors, or tissue-building compounds to repair or strengthen pelvic floor structures.
- Behavioral intervention trials — Comparing different approaches to pelvic floor training, bladder retraining, or biofeedback-guided exercises.
- Surgical studies — Testing new techniques or materials for sling procedures and other surgeries that support the urethra or bladder neck.
Recently added Urinary Incontinence trials
Perineal Ultrasound, Post-Void Residual, and Lower-Limb Alignment in Stress Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in postmenopausal women is traditionally considered a local pelvic floor disorder, but emerging evidence suggests that spinopelvic and lower limb alignment may also contribute to continence mechanisms. Transperineal ultrasound α/β angles and post void residual (PVR) volume are promising imaging markers that might capture this broader biomechanical phenotype. Objective To compare hip ultrasound α/β angles, PVR volume, and lower limb and spinopelvic alignment between symptomatic and asymptomatic postmenopausal women, and to explore within group correlations between PVR and musculoskeletal alignment variables.
Does Use of a Pre-Procedure Educational Video for Urodynamic Testing Reduces Anxiety?
The objective of this randomized prospective study is to evaluate whether viewing an educational video before urodynamic testing reduces anxiety among women undergoing evaluation for pelvic floor or urinary symptoms. The primary research question is: Does viewing a short educational video before urodynamic testing reduce objective and subjective anxiety levels and improve the overall testing experience? Participants scheduled to undergo urodynamic testing as part of routine clinical care will be randomly assigned to either an educational video intervention or standard pre-procedure counseling alone. Participants will complete brief questionnaires, provide saliva samples for cortisol measurement as an objective biomarker of stress, and report anxiety and pain levels before, during, and after urodynamic testing.
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