Among women treated for heavy menstrual bleeding, those who undergo a vaginal hysterectomy do not appear to have an increased risk of urinary incontinence, according to French researchers.

Vaginal hysterectomy is associated with fewer complications than is abdominal hysterectomy, Dr. Renaud de Tayrac of Hopital Antoine Beclere, Clamart, and colleagues note in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The researchers speculated that the lower complication rate might also apply to urinary incontinence.

To investigate, they obtained questionnaire responses from 117 women who had undergone vaginal hysterectomy. These were compared with responses from a similar group of women who also had excessive menstrual bleeding but were treated more conservatively - by thermal coagulation of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.

After about four years, on average, there were no significant differences in urinary symptoms, including urge and stress incontinence, between the hysterectomy group and the conservative therapy group.

Thus the researchers conclude that there is “no particular risk” of urinary problems after vaginal hysterectomy.

SOURCE: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, July 2004.