In this review, the principal morphological and functional changes which occur in relationship to aging in both the genital tract and lower urinary tract are discussed. Aging of the upper urinary tract is not considered.

Much of the evidence for age-related changes comes from cross-sectional studies with their inherent methodological limitations. Furthermore, it is difficult to accept ‘normal aging’ criteria that do not take into consideration the role of the acute and chronic disease so prevalent in elderly people. Thus, more longitudinal studies are needed in order to provide a more exact analysis of the influence of aging on the urogenital system, as for all other systems of the body.