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Getting Therapy
If you suffer from any of the symptoms of urinary retention, you’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide live with bladder control problems. Neuromodulation may be an option for you.
If you have not had success with other treatments or could not tolerate them, talk to your physician about a 3- to 7-day reversible trial assessment that lets you try neuromodulation for urinary retention without making a long-term commitment.
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Talk to your primary care doctor, urologist, urogynaecologist, or gynaecologist about treating your bladder control problem today.
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Learn more about the trial assessment and how it can help you and your urinary retention symptoms.
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Your doctor will help you to determine if neuromodulation is right for you. This treatment is designed to reduce bladder control problems for people who suffer from urinary retention, including being unable to start or fully empty your bladder.
Neuromodulation may be an option for people who have failed or could not tolerate other treatments.
The potential benefit of neuromodulation for you can be demonstrated with a trial assessment. This procedure uses an external stimulator and test lead system that can be placed during a procedure in theatre.
Throughout the trial assessment period, you will keep track of your bladder symptoms in a special diary. If your symptoms are significantly reduced or eliminated during the testing period, you may benefit from long-term use of neuromodulation.
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The results of neuromodulation vary from person to person. This treatment option is not a cure for bladder control problems but it may help relieve your symptoms.
The trial assessment takes 3 to 7 days and lets you try neuromodulation to see if it is right for you without making a long-term commitment.
Your doctor will help you determine whether the test and ongoing neuromodulation is right for you. The treatment is designed to minimise the symptoms of urinary retention. Neuromodulation may be a good option for you if you have not had success with more conservative treatments.
During the procedure, your doctor will numb a small area and insert a thin, flexible wire near your sacral nerves (near your tailbone). The wire is taped to your skin and connected to a small stimulator which you’ll wear on your waistband.
The stimulator sends mild electrical pulses through the wire to a sacral nerve. The stimulation may help improve your bladder function or get it working the way it’s supposed to.
During the trial assessment, you can continue many of your daily activities with caution. You can usually continue to work throughout your trial assessment if your job doesn’t require strenuous movement.
You’ll be asked to document your urinary symptoms. If your symptoms are significantly reduced or eliminated during the trial, you and your doctor can discuss long-term neuromodulation therapy.
Your doctor or nurse will give you information about operating the test stimulator. He or she will also tell you about any precautions or activity restrictions related to the trial assessment.
The results of neuromodulation vary from person to person. This treatment option is not a cure for bladder control problems; it may help relieve your symptoms.
As you begin the diagnosis and treatment of urinary retention, you may meet a variety of medical professionals dedicated to giving you their best possible care. It’s important to be honest and straightforward with your health care providers about your symptoms, lifestyle, and treatment concerns.
Urologists are surgeons who specialise in diseases of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. Some urologists have specific experience in female urology and the treatment of urinary retention.
Gynaecologists specialise in women's general health, including care of reproductive organs, breasts, sexual function, and hormonal disorders. Gynaecologists also treat pelvic organ and urinary tract problems.
Urogynaecologists specialise in diseases of the female urinary tract and pelvic reconstructive surgery. They also treat prolapse and bladder control problems, including urinary retention.
Urodynamic tests are usually conducted by nurses specializing in urodynamics. The test is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate your bladder function. The results of these tests help your doctor decide which treatment is right for you.
A nurse, nurse practitioner or physician assistant typically works closely with your doctor. He or she may answer questions, and advise you on treatments such as Kegel exercises, fluid and diet modification, or physical therapy.
Your doctor may prescribe physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor. Pelvic floor rehabilitation may include pelvic floor stimulation and biofeedback-guided pelvic floor exercises, used alone or in combination.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
Patient instructions differ among doctors. It’s important to follow all your doctor's instructions carefully.
Having the system implanted requires a short surgery that is done in the operating theatre. You will have a small incision in your upper buttock, where your doctor will insert the neurostimulator under your skin. Also, you will have a small incision in your lower back, where a long-term electrode is inserted. The neurostimulator sends the electrical pulses through the thin wire to one of your sacral nerves.
You may need to restrict your activities immediately after surgery. Talk to your doctor about what is appropriate for you.
You should take it easy during the trial assessment period. Avoid bending, stretching, or lifting heavy objects. You can usually continue to work throughout your trial assessment if your job doesn’t require strenuous movement. Be aware that the trial assessment wire can move. Keep your activity level low to moderate.
No. The trial assessment is temporary. It is a tool that helps determine whether neuromodulation is appropriate for you. Once the wire is removed, your original symptoms will return. If you have had positive results with the trial assessment, then you and your doctor may decide to use long-term neuromodulation to treat your symptoms.
With long-term neuromodulation, a device is implanted during procedure that takes place in an operating theatre.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.