Continence promotion includes all nonsurgical therapies that enable a patient to recover continence. Examples include bladder training, pelvic floor exercises, anticholinergic drugs, oestrogen, electrical therapies, vaginal cones and intermittent self-catheterization. Implicit in the use of all of these therapies is a detailed history and examination to diagnose any cause for the symptoms. Continence promotion is most closely identified with the role of the nurse, in co-operation with the doctor, in recognizing medical and surgical causes of incontinence.