ABSTRACT

The female genital and lower urinary tract share a common embryological origin, arising from

the urogenital sinus. Both are sensitive to the effects of female sex steroid hormones. Estrogen is

known to have an important role in the function of the lower urinary tract throughout adult life,

with estrogen and progesterone receptors demonstrated in the vagina, urethra, bladder, and

pelvic floor musculature (1-4). This is supported by the fact that estrogen defiency occurring

following the menopause is known to cause atrophic changes within the urogenital tract (5) and

is associated with urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, nocturia, incontinence, and

recurrent infection. These may also coexist with symptoms of vaginal atrophy such as

dyspareunia, itching, burning, and dryness. This chapter will review the role of estrogen and

progesterone on lower urinary tract function in addition to assessing the role of estrogens in the

management of lower urinary tract dysfunction.