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Treatment options
There are many treatment options available for stress urinary incontinence after lifestyle changes and pelvic floor training have been tried.
The table below shows information about the common treatments available for stress urinary incontinence which should be discussed with your doctor.
Urethral Bulking
Mesh Tape
Colposuspension
Autologous Tissue Sling
The injection of a soft gel (the size of a pea) into 3 or 4 locations in the urethral wall using a small telescope
A piece of plastic mesh tape is inserted into the pelvis to support the urethra
Stitches are placed in the pelvis to lift the bladder neck upwards
A piece of your own tissue (normally from your thigh or abdomen) is used to support the urethra
Invasiveness

3 or 4 injections

 

2 x 1-2cm incisions and mesh inserted

 

10cm incision, or 3 to 4 small 1-2cm incisions (keyhole surgery)

 

2 incisions (1 in the bikini line or leg) and 1 in the vaginal wall

Success rate (improved or cured)

77-83%2-4

 

80 – 90%9,14

 

80 – 90%11,15

 

80 – 90%12,16

Procedure time

5 – 10 minutes

 

Between 20 – 40 minutes9,14

 

Around an hour11,15

 

More than an hour12,16

Hospital stay

Out patients/Office13

 

Day surgery9,14

 

Up to 5 days11,15

 

Up to 2 days12,16

Recovery time

Up to 24 hours7

 

Up to 4 weeks9,14

 

6 weeks11,15

 

6 weeks12,16

Potential short term complications

Short term pain that resolves shortly after the procedure (up to 15%)
urinary infection (up to 5%)
difficulty empting bladder (up to 7%)

 

Short term pain (up to 50%),
urinary infection (up to 5%),
difficulty empting bladder (around 5%)

 

Short term pain (almost all),
urinary infection (5%),
difficulty empting bladder (around 5%),
wound infection (5%)

 

Short term pain (almost all),
urinary infection (5%),
difficulty empting bladder (5%),
wound infection (5%)

Potential long term complications

No long-term complications reported5

 

Severe pain (up to 5%),
erosion of the mesh into the urethra or bladder (2.5%)

 

Pain in vagina or abdomen (tummy) including pain during intercourse (2%),
vaginal prolapse (10-20%)

 

Pain in vagina or abdomen (tummy) (up to 5%)

Recurrance rate

10% repeat injections may be required if your symptoms begin to return7

 

10% recurrence of symptoms9,14

 

10% recurrence of symptoms11,15

 

10% recurrence symptoms12,16

Urethral Bulking
Success rate

77-83%2-4

Invasiveness

3 or 4 injections

Procedure time

5 – 10 minutes

Hospital stay

Out patients/Office13

Recovery time

Up to 24 hours7

Potential short term complications

Short term pain that resolves shortly after the procedure (up to 15%)
urinary infection (up to 5%)
difficulty empting bladder (up to 7%)

Potential long term complications

No long-term complications reported5

Recurrance rate

10% repeat injections may be required if your symptoms begin to return7

Success Stories
How urethral bulking has helped other women.
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