Up to 11 percent of men and 17 percent of women will experience urge incontinence at some point in their life. While you might not think that Botox could assist with unintentional urine loss from bladder contractions, an overactive bladder or frequent urination, it may just be able to. Keep reading to find out more.
What is Urge Incontinence?
Unlike stress continence, when you sneeze, exercise, cough, and experience urination, urge incontinence is different. Your bladder contracts and causes urine loss, which is hard to control. You may also feel the urge to use the toilet but can’t control your bladder, which leads to urine loss. Some people even wake up multiple times in the night to urinate or use the toilet eight or more times per day.
What Can Botox Do?
After seeing a urologist for your urge incontinence, they may recommend Botox to treat either your incontinence or overactive bladder. As they are trained medical professionals, they are able to inject the Botox themselves.
Botox relaxes your muscles to allow more time for you to get to the bathroom. While the injections are manageable and most people don’t experience pain, some experience discomfort akin to a period cramp.
Once Botox is administered, you may notice symptom relief in a matter of just a few days. The Botox can then last for around six months until you require additional injections.
How is Botox Administered for Urge Incontinence?
When you see your urologist for Botox treatment, a general anaesthetic is generally administered. They will then insert a cystoscope through the urethra into the bladder.
A long needle is attached to a Botox syringe which is then injected into your bladder muscle at multiple points. In some situations, a temporary catheter is left in place once the procedure is done.
On the day of the surgery or the next day, you will be able to go home. Some blood in the urine is normal, as is increased urinary urgency in the days after the surgery. Your urologist will likely recommend returning to work within a week of the treatment and will request a follow-up within three months to assess your recovery.
Will Botox Work All the Time?
Like any form of medical treatment, nothing is 100 percent perfect. Botox is no exception. If you’re a male at risk of an enlarged prostate or already have an enlarged prostate, Botox is not a recommended treatment option. This is because a possible side effect is urine retention.
What Else Can Botox Help With?
You may know that Botox can help with urge incontinence, overactive bladders, and wrinkles. However, it can also do much, much more. It is approved as a treatment option for migraine sufferers and used to treat cervical dystonia, which is neck spasms.
If you have a lazy eye or suffer from hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating, your doctor may also recommend Botox as a valid treatment option. Because Botox prevents muscles from moving, it may be able to treat a broad range of health conditions above and beyond those mentioned here.
If you are suffering from urge incontinence or an overactive bladder, you don’t have to put up with it. Seek help from your doctor, who may refer you to a urologist for treatment options. One of those treatment options may just be Botox.
