Treating Female Urinary Incontinence With Medical Devices
Urinary incontinence affects over 25 million adults in the United States. The involuntary leakage of urine occurs more often in women due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and other factors affecting the pelvic floor. Today, several new medical device options help effectively manage female urinary incontinence.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence in Women
Urinary incontinence stems from issues storing or releasing urine from the bladder properly. Coughing, laughing, exercise and other movement can trigger unwanted leakage. Specific causes include:
- Pregnancy and vaginal delivery
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Hysterectomy
- Post-menopause estrogen loss
- Obesity
- Constipation and chronic straining
These factors contribute to stress, urge or overflow incontinence. Seeking treatment helps avoid limiting daily activities and enhances quality of life.
Lifestyle Changes and Medication
Doctors typically start by recommending lifestyle modifications and bladder training. This involves timing bathroom trips, fluid management, pelvic exercises, smoking cessation aids and weight loss plans if necessary.
If leakage continues despite conservative efforts, oral medication or topical estrogen helps some cases. Anticholinergics, mirabegron or tricyclic antidepressants relax muscles or balance chemicals influencing bladder control.
When Devices Can Help
For moderate to severe incontinence poorly responsive to other therapies, medical devices offer another option before considering surgery. Several new minimally invasive devices effectively treat leakage for many women.
Types of Urinary Incontinence Devices
Rather than daily medication with side effects, medical devices manage leakage through different mechanisms. Many provide immediate dryness without hormones or frequent self-catheterization.
Urethral Inserts
Small tampon-like urethral inserts made of silicone, plastic or other materials provide immediate leakage protection. Some expand to block urine flow with a valve, allowing normal emptying. They generally stay in place for hours comfortably until removal.
Magnetic Stimulation
Non-invasive chair-based devices use gentle magnetic or electrical pulses to stimulate pelvic nerves and strengthen muscles supporting continence. Clinical trials demonstrate reduced leakage episodes with consistent monthly sessions.
Bladder Neck Inserts
A soft removable mesh strip implanted in the vaginal wall provides supplementary support below the bladder neck and urethra. This bladder neck insert boosts structural integrity against pressure leading to leaks. The quick office-based procedure takes around ten minutes.
Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation
With PTNS, a slim needle electrode placed near the ankle tibial nerve sends mild electrical signals to the sacral nerve plexus influencing bladder function. Recipients feel a soft tingling during weekly sessions building benefits.
Examples of Urinary Incontinence Medical Devices
Many female urinary incontinence devices now offer customizable and convenient relief from troublesome leakage between bathroom trips. Several top options include:
INNOVO® Short Set Urethral Insert
This flexible insert inflated to conform inside the urethra divert urine flow through a tiny lumen when desired. Easy to insert and remove, the device prevents leaks for around 3 hours at a time while preserving normal voiding control.
imena® Magnetic Stimulator
imena uses non-invasive magnetic technology to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, nerves and supporting tissue through electromagnetic induction therapy. Clinical studies demonstrate reduced leakage, improved quality of life and high patient satisfaction.
About Contasure-Needleless®
This 5-minute office procedure implants a Y-shaped polypropylene mesh support strip below the bladder neck for structural stability. The anchored centre and loose ends dynamically respond during activities while preventing involuntary urine loss.
Urgent® PC Neuromodulation System
Backed by over 10 years of data, Urgent PC treats urge incontinence through percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. The non-surgical, outpatient therapy taps body’s natural responses for reduced leaks over time.
When are Urinary Incontinence Devices Recommended?
Today’s female urinary incontinence devices offer straightforward, customizable relief for many patients struggling with leaks throughout daily life. Urogynecologists typically suggest considering device options when:
- Symptoms don’t improve through conventional treatment
- Side effects or discomfort occurs from medication use
- Immediate protection is desired during certain activities
- Surgery risks outweigh benefits or isn’t preferred
Many providers recommend trying external or minimally invasive devices providing reversible effects before permanent surgical mesh slings. Discuss options suited for your unique situation.
The Takeaway
Rather than an inevitable or untreatable nuisance, various implementable solutions now exist for effectively managing female urinary incontinence. Today’s medical devices offer customizable control over leaks through different mechanisms.
Talk to your gynecologist or urogynecologist about causes of and options for treating bothersome bladder leakage interfering with daily quality of life.
FAQs
What causes urinary incontinence in women?
Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, weak pelvic muscles, obesity, chronic straining, and other factors can cause urinary leakage in women.
When are medical devices used for incontinence?
After trying lifestyle changes and medication without sufficient improvement, urinary incontinence devices provide another option before considering surgery.
What types of medical devices treat urine leaks?
Devices like urethral inserts, magnetic stimulators, bladder neck inserts and nerve stimulators help control leaks through different mechanisms.
Do incontinence devices require surgery?
Many devices like urethral inserts and chair-based stimulators are nonsurgical. Bladder neck inserts involve a very quick in-office procedure. Surgery risks can often be avoided.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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