Mixed Urinary Incontinence (MUI)
Mixed incontinence is exactly what it sounds like — the patient has both stress leakage (on effort) and urgency leakage (preceded by urgency).
The big picture
Mixed incontinence is exactly what it sounds like — the patient has both stress leakage (on effort) and urgency leakage (preceded by urgency). The clinical skill is to work out which component bothers the patient more, because that decides where you start: treat the dominant component first, and reassess. Many patients improve substantially once the bigger problem is addressed.
The framework: define MUI → identify the predominant (more bothersome) component → treat that first → reassess and treat the residual component.
Mechanism pathway
Tap any step to see why it happens.
Diagnostic algorithm
Each step answers one question. Tap to expand.
Board traps
MUI = both urgency AND stress leakage coexisting; common in older women.
Treat the predominant (most bothersome) component first, then reassess.
Pelvic-floor muscle training helps both — a good shared first step.
Urodynamics is more often useful in MUI than in pure SUI/OAB, especially pre-surgery.
SUI surgery may not cure — and can unmask/worsen — the urgency component; counsel accordingly.