Continence mechanism in the female.

Continence is partly automatically and partly consciously regulated. It is automatically regulated until the desire to void is felt. From then on, micturition reflex elicitation is consciously inhibited. When that is no longer possible, the sequence of urethral relaxation and detrusor contraction automatically takes place. Continence may thereafter be consciously maintained through squeezing with striated muscles and then by external mechanical compression of the urethra.