An apparatus (60) for use within a woman's urethra (9) for inhibiting urine outflow when her intra-abdominal pressure rises. The apparatus (60) includes a generally tubular device (50) having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis. Device (50) comprises structure (5) that is constructed and arranged to define a longitudinal passageway (14) that extends entirely through the device (50) from the proximal end to the distal end. Structure (5) is further constructed and arranged to be altered via an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, from a first state in which the passageway (14) is open along its length and able to conduct urine to a second state in which the passageway (14a) is more restricted or is closed off, to inhibit the passage of urine.
