Urethral pressure profile in continent women from childhood to old age.

One hundred and sixty-nine urinary continent females were examined with simultaneous urethro-cystometry, using a dual microtip-catheter. It was shown that the maximum urethral pressure and the urethral length increased from infancy to the age of 20--25 years. Thereafter, the values of these parameters decreased with increasing age. The bladder pressure remained constant in the different age groups. In six women, aged between 20 and 25 years, the parameters were measured three times during a menstrual cycle. No correlation between the fluctuating estrogens, gestagens, catecholamines and the urethral pressure or the urethral lengths was found.