[Update on medical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence].

A reasonable assumption is that incontinence would be relieved by increasing urethral resistance through stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors in urethral smooth muscle. A review of available medical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is done. Alpha-receptor agonists are not in common use because of systemic side-effects. Estrogens do not seem to have beneficial effect on stress urinary incontinence. Currently, new molecules such as duloxetine, are uptake inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline could provide a noninvasive therapy for patients with urinary incontinence. Further studies to identify clinical applications are required.