What Is Neuromodulation?

Sacral Nerve Stimulator

How It Works 

With sacral neuromodulation, a small device is surgically implanted to send mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves. Located near the tailbone, the sacral nerves control the bladder and the muscles related to urination. If the brain and sacral nerves don’t communicate correctly, the nerves can’t tell the bladder to function properly.

This communication problem can lead to symptoms of urinary retention. By stimulating the sacral nerves with mild electrical pulses, neuromodulation helps the brain and the nerves to communicate so the bladder can function properly.

Neuromodulation is a reversible treatment that can be discontinued at any time by turning off or removing the device.

Neuromodulation may help you resume normal activities, and help you avoid frustrating experiences associated with urinary retention.

Next: Benefits and Risks

Benefits and Risks - Neuromodulation

If you’ve tried other treatments without success, or you’ve experienced intolerable side effects from medications, neuromodulation may provide you relief from urinary retention.

Benefits

Neuromodulation is a reversible treatment option that can be discontinued at any time by turning off or removing the device. Many people with neuromodulation have reported:

• Improved quality of life
• Freedom to live without worry of leaks or frequent urination

Risks

As with any medical treatment, neuromodulation may cause you to experience some of these side effects:

• Pain at the implant site or new pain
• Infection or skin irritation
• Lead (thin wire) movement/migration
• Device problems
• Interactions with certain other devices or diagnostic equipment
• Undesirable changes in urinary or bowel function
• Uncomfortable stimulation (sometimes described as a jolting or shocking feeling)

In most cases, these issues can be resolved, so talk to your doctor about your experience. This therapy is not for everyone. Please consult your doctor. 

Next: Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers - Neuromodulation

• What is neuromodulation?
• What do nerves have to do with urination?
• What are the potential side effects or complications of neuromodulation?
• What are the benefits of neuromodulation?
• How long has neuromodulation been around?
• Where can I learn more about neuromodulation?

What is neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation therapy uses an implantable device to send mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves, located near the tailbone. The sacral nerves control the bladder and the muscles related to urination. If the brain and sacral nerves don’t communicate correctly, the nerves can’t tell the bladder to function properly.

This communication problem can lead to symptoms of urinary retention. By stimulating the sacral nerves with mild electrical pulses, neuromodulation helps the brain and the nerves to communicate so the bladder can function properly

Neuromodulation is an option for managing symptoms of urinary retention for people who have not found success with more conservative treatments.

Neuromodulation therapy is reversible and can be discontinued at any time by turning off or removing the device.

Neuromodulation may help you resume normal activities, and help you avoid frustrating experiences associated with urinary retention.

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What do nerves have to do with urination?

The sacral nerves control the bladder and muscles related to urination. A breakdown of communication between the sacral nerves and the brain can lead to problems with storing and voiding urine.

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What are the potential side effects or complications of neuromodulation?

Side effects may include implant site pain, skin irritation, infection, device problems, and wire movement. These conditions can generally be resolved through consultation with your doctor.

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What are the benefits of neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation may reduce symptoms for many people who suffer from urinary retention. Neuromodulation is reversible and can be discontinued at any time by turning off or removing the device.

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How long has neuromodulation been around?

Since 1994, it’s been used to treat more than 65,000 patients worldwide who haven’t had success with more conservative bladder control treatments.

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Where can I learn more about neuromodulation?

Your doctor is the best person to advise you about any treatment option

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Next: Getting a Trial Assessment