Beta adrenoceptor blockade in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence.

Previous pharmacologic studies have shown that the adrenergic system has a definite role in urinary continence. For this reason sympathomimetic agents have been used to treat stress urinary incontinence. Similarly, beta adrenoceptors blockade has been shown to be of value in achieving continence in a small group of patients. This study presents the successful results of using a beta blocker (Propranolol) in the treatment of 23 female patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence. The enhanced urodynamic response shown, particularly in the erect position, to this drug could be due to the unopposed effect of alpha adrenoceptors following beta adrenoceptors blockade, thus suggesting the presence of significant numbers of such beta adrenoceptors in the female bladder outlet and proximal urethra.