Answers to Patient Questions Regarding Mid-Urethral Slings
March 20, 2013
Women have many questions when it comes to vaginal mesh products and mid-urethral slings. Advancing Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (AUGS) and Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) published frequently asked questions by patients. Find these questions and answers by clicking here.
Botox and the Bladder
January 17, 2013
Botulinum Toxin, better known as Botox, is now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with overactive bladder. Botox had previously been approved to treat urgency incontinence due to known neurologic injuries such as spinal cord trauma, stroke and Multiple Sclerosis. Now its use is expanded to treat patients with overactive bladder or OAB where the […]
Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency (ISD) and Stress Incontinence
October 27, 2012
Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency (ISD) occurs when there is weakness of the urethral sphincter. ISD may be caused by genetics, nerve damage from prior surgery, or neurological disorders. Urinary leakage typically occurs more frequently and in greater volumes in cases of ISD than in cases of stress urinary incontinence without ISD. The mid-urethral sling is the mainstay of treatment for ISD. […]
Initially, collagen was used as the bulking agent. Coaptite and Durasphere are newer bulking implants that last longer and maintain durability over time. Coaptite combines calcium hydroxylapatite particles and a sodium carboxymethylcellulose carrier gel to form a scaffold that promotes tissue infiltration around the urethra to strengthen the urethra and decrease the urinary leakage associated with ISD. Durasphere EXP is […]
How Successful is InterStim in the Treatment of Urinary Urgency, Urgency Incontinence, Urinary Retention and Fecal Incontinence?
August 9, 2012
InterStim may be a good treatment of urinary urgency, urge urinary incontinence, urinary retention or fecal incontinence. Many of these symptoms are first treated conservatively with behavioral modification and medications. Sometimes, physical therapy is also employed. If symptoms are still intolerable, or if patients cannot tolerate the medications used, InterStim is considered. InterStim is a dynamic form of treatment which […]
New Medication Approved for Treatment of Overactive Bladder (OAB)
July 27, 2012
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) was approved by the FDA for symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) including urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency. Myrbetriq was studied for 10 years in more than 10,000 individuals before approval by the FDA on June 28, 2012. Antimuscarinics traditionally used to treat OAB work by binding to muscarinic receptors in the bladder, inhibiting involuntary bladder contractions. The […]
Kegel Exercises for Urinary Incontinence
June 29, 2012
Urinary incontinence may occur as a result of a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles provide support to the uterus, bladder and other pelvic organs. For some women, this involuntary loss of urine can be treated with pelvic floor muscle training. Training includes exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, similar to kegel exercises. Studies have shown women […]
Midurethral Sling Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence
May 3, 2012
Is the mid-urethral sling operation done to repair urinary incontinence cost effective? It seems like everyone is talking about containing medical costs these days. So how about the mid-urethral sling we know it improves patients’ Quality of Life Index but is it cost effective? The answer is yes. Dr. Leslee Subaks clinical trial of 491 women who underwent either Burch […]
Bowel / Fecal Incontinence
January 28, 2012
Bowel (fecal) Incontinence is the impaired ability to delay the release of gas or stool. Its severity ranges from mild difficulty with gas control to severe loss of control over liquid and formed stools. Causes: Pelvic floor muscle damage: If the muscles that control bowel continence are damaged, fecal/bowel incontinence may result. These muscles include the anal sphincter and the […]