In order to assess the permanent effect of pelvic floor exercises on female stress incontinence, 76 incontinent women, referred for incontinence surgery, underwent a 3-month exercise programme conducted by an experienced physiotherapist. The patients were followed up for 1 year. At the last assessment 30% were cured and 17% improved. Altogether 47% avoided surgery. No relapses were seen during the follow-up period. Patients with mild incontinence benefited from intensified training, since 72% could expect to be cured, while patients with severe incontinence and no immediate effect did not benefit from further exercises. Patients with a positive hormone status and those with normal weight had a significantly higher cure rate. The subjective results were confirmed by the 24-h pad test. Anal pressure profilometry was a valid method for instruction and objective control of pelvic floor function. It was concluded that pelvic floor exercises should precede surgery, since exercises had a permanent effect in half of the patients.