Urethral and vaginal infections, age of patients and state of the pelvic floor in the aetiology of the irritative symptoms of the lower urinary tract in women.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of a) urethral and/or vaginal infections caused by common germs or Mycoplasmas, Chlamydia, Candida; b) age of patients; c) pelvic floor disorders in the development of irritative urinary symptoms in women. METHODS 77 consecutive abacteriuric symptomatic female patients were compared with 55 asymptomatic women. A detailed micturition history and a genitourinary physical examination were performed. Urine samples as well as vaginal and urethral swabs were taken for cultures. RESULTS No statistical difference was found between the two groups regarding both urethral and/or vaginal infections and pelvic floor disorders. Whereas a significant statistical difference was found in the age of the patients. In the symptomatic group the women were older than in the asymptomatic group. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study confirm that ageing is a very important cause in the development of the lower urinary tract symptoms in women.