FAQS

Urinary incontinence — also known as loss of bladder control— is when you accidentally leak urine. There are four main types: 

• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) happens when you leak during activities such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, and lifting.  
• Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder (OAB), is when you feel a sudden need to urinate. The urgency may prevent you from reaching the toilet in time.  
• Mixed incontinence includes symptoms of both SUI and OAB. 
• Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder can't empty completely, causing frequent dribbling of urine.

Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine with physical exertion such as lifting, jumping or from laughing, sneezing, or coughing. Incontinence occurs when the muscles that support the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) are weakened or damaged. This can happen as a result pelvic trauma, obesity, family history, and many other reasons. Some potential causes for SUI in women include age, menopause, pregnancy, injuries to the pelvic region, genetic factors, obesity/high BMI, and diet. For men, prostate surgery can result in SUI.

To learn more, explore symptoms and causes.

Both men and women can experience incontinence, such as SUI, even though it is more common in women. 1 in every 2 U.S. women experience some degree of involuntary leakage of urine in their lifetime.¹

Watch on YouTube: DRY FAQ: Does incontinence impact men and women? In the same ways?

If you leak urine when you move or do activities, you may have SUI. You might leak when you play sports, exercise, sneeze, laugh, cough, or lift something heavy — or even with simple movements like standing up, walking, or bending over. If these symptoms are bothering you and interrupting your life, a doctor who specializes in incontinence may be able to help. Connecting with a doctor can help you to understand severity of symptoms and discuss potential treatment options.

Watch on YouTube: DRY FAQ: How is Stress Urinary Incontinence diagnosed?

People manage urinary incontinence with adult incontinence products such as adult diapers/absorbent products, pelvic floor exercises, medicine, and surgical intervention. Lifestyle changes like reducing caffeine and alcohol may also help. But every person is different. Talk with a doctor to find available treatment options.

Watch on YouTube: DRY FAQ: What resources were helpful while you were selecting treatment?

Kegel exercises may strengthen the muscles that control urination. They may be able to help some men and women. Examples of Kegel exercises include repeatedly contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, which can be done by imagining you are stopping the flow of urine. These exercises do not require a prescription. Connect with a physician who specializes in incontinence to learn more and talk about treatment options. 

Seeing a doctor is important because they specialize in urinary issues and can offer treatment options. They can make a plan to help treat your condition. Find a doctor in your area.

Watch on YouTube: DRY FAQ: What made you feel comfortable & confident with your physician?

Prostate cancer treatments, like prostatectomy or radiation treatment, are common causes of SUI in men, with the other being erectile dysfunction (ED). If these side effects persist, there are treatment options available. To learn more, explore male SUI treatment options. For more information on ED after prostatectomy, visit EDCure.com.

Watch on YouTube: DRY FAQ: How did cancer impact your incontinence journey?

SUI may be resolved within the year following prostatectomy, but in some cases, SUI can persist past a year without improvement. Up to 16% of men may experience persistent stress urinary incontinence 12 months following prostate cancer surgery.²

Many men start managing their bladder leakage with products they can buy at pharmacies or grocery stores, such as pads and diapers. Other treatment options can come from your doctor, such as disposable condom catheters, penile clamps, or implantable treatment options such as the AdVance™ XP Male Sling System and the AMS 800™ Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS).^2-3

If bladder control is still an issue 6 months post-prostatectomy, consider making an appointment with a urologist specializing in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence.

If bladder control is an issue 6 months after a prostatectomy and is not improving, you could consider seeing a doctor. You could have persistent SUI. A doctor who specializes in incontinence can provide advice and discuss your treatment options. Find a doctor in your area.

Watch on YouTube: DRY FAQ: Is there a spectrum of severity for incontinence?

You might consider surgery if behavioral or other treatments aren’t working. A urologist who specializes in incontinence can help you decide if surgery is right for you. Find a doctor in your area.

Watch on YouTube: DRY FAQ: Did the concept of surgery for incontinence scare you?

Procedures for the male sling and AUS are usually straightforward and are performed by a urologist that specializes in the treatment of incontinence. Recovery and care after surgery vary, so follow your doctor’s advice. 

A male sling procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis and is performed under anesthesia. Small incisions are made to access the urethra and the urinary sphincter. The sling is placed under the urethra and tensioned to reposition the urethra and optimize the sphincter’s function.  

Most patients can resume normal, non-strenuous activities within a few days. No activation is required. 

The AUS procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis or may require a short hospital stay. Small incisions are made near the scrotum and below the abdomen to insert an inflatable cuff, a pump and a small balloon (pressure regulating balloon). The surgery is performed under anesthesia.  

Your doctor will manage your care right after the AUS procedure and over the next several weeks. Four to six weeks after surgery, you will return to the urologist’s office to have the AUS activated and learn how to use it.

As with any medical procedure, complications may occur. Talk with your doctor about post-procedure complications and when to notify them of a potential concern. Read more safety information regarding Boston Scientific male incontinence devices here.

Watch on YouTube: DRY FAQ: How is a surgical option selected for a patient?

AdVance XP Male Sling System is a market leading male sling in the U.S.. In one study, 88.1% of patients surveyed would recommend the AdVance XP Male Sling procedure to a friend.⁴

The AUS implant has been available to patients for more than 50 years. In a study of 105 patients implanted with an AMS 800 AUS, 93% of patients were satisfied with the overall surgical outcome.⁵

A mid-urethral sling system is designed to provide a hammock of support under the urethra to prevent it from dropping during physical activity. 

Learn more about mid-urethral slings. 

Many sling options have been developed, the difference being how the mesh material is placed under the urethra. As disease state and anatomy differ for each patient, as well as the type of stress urinary incontinence, consult a a physician who specializes in incontinence for all available treatment options. 

Learn more about mid-urethral slings. 

This is a decision that should be made by you in consultation with a doctor. You should have the opportunity to discuss with your doctor all of your treatment options, and then decide which treatment plan is most appropriate for your specific medical situation. 

 Find a doctor in your area.

Mid-urethral sling procedures for female SUI are typically outpatient procedures, which means patients return home the same day. The procedure is minimally invasive and in most cases take less than 30 minutes. 

Most patients resume moderate activities within two to four weeks, with no strenuous activity for up to six weeks. Talk with your doctor about post-procedure complications and when to notify them of a potential concern. You can read more safety information about Boston Scientific mid-urethral sling products here.

Your doctor should answer all your questions and will discuss the type of anesthesia that may be needed, the specific procedure steps, and expectations for your recovery.

As with most surgical procedures, there are potential risks and complications associated with SUI mid-urethral sling surgery. Your specialist can further explain your specific risks based on your medical history and surgical approach used.

Please consult your physician to discuss the associated risk and complications for the specific surgical material you receive. Below is a list of potential adverse events for Boston Scientific’s mid-urethral sling surgical material. The following adverse events and known risks have been reported due to suburethral (beneath the urethra) mesh sling placement, any of which may be ongoing, but are not limited to:

• Abscess (swollen area within the body tissue, containing a buildup of pus)
• Allergic reaction to the implant
• Apareunia (inability to perform sexual intercourse)
• Bleeding from the vagina
• Complete failure of the procedure/failure to resolve a patient’s stress urinary incontinence
• Dehiscence of vaginal incision (opening of the incision after surgery)
• De novo detrusor instability (involuntary contraction of the bladder wall leading to an urge to urinate)
• Dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse)
• Edema and erythema at the surgical site (swelling and redness)
• Erosion into the following organs: urethra, bladder, or other surrounding tissues and exposure/extrusion into the vagina (when the mesh goes through the vagina into other organs or surrounding tissue)
• Fistula formation (a hole/passage that develops through the wall of the organs) that may be acute or chronic
• Foreign body reaction (body’s response to the implant) that may be acute or chronic
• Hematoma formation (bruising)
• Infection
• Inflammation that may be acute or chronic (redness, heat, pain or swelling at the surgical site as a result of the surgery)
• Irritation (redness or pain) at surgical site
• Leg weakness (muscle weakness)
• Mesh contracture (mesh shrinkage)
• Pain or discomfort to the patient’s partner during intercourse
• Pain/Ongoing Pain/Severe/Chronic Pain in the pelvis, vagina, groin/thigh, and suprapubic area that may be acute or chronic (pain or ongoing pain just above the pubic bone, pelvis, vagina, groin/thigh area that may be severe and could last for a long time)
• Pain with intercourse that may not resolve, Perforation or laceration of vessels, nerves, bladder, urethra, or bowel (a hole in or damage to these or other tissues that may happen during placement)
• Scarring, scar contracture (tightening of the scar)
• Stone formation (as a result of mesh erosion/exposure/extrusion in the urethra or bladder where the mesh is exposed to urine, mineral deposits may form along the mesh, also known as stones)
• Tissue contracture (tightening of the tissue)
• Voiding dysfunction: incontinence, temporary or permanent lower urinary tract obstruction, difficulty urinating, pain with urination, overactive bladder, and retention (involuntary leakage of urine or reduced or complete inability to empty the bladder from the mesh being implanted too tightly beneath the urethra)

The following additional adverse events have been reported for the Solyx SIS System: Dysuria (painful/difficult urination), Hematuria (blood in the urine).

The occurrence of these events may require surgical intervention and possible removal of the entire mesh. In some instances, these events may be permanent after surgery or other treatments. Removal of mesh or correction of mesh-related complications may involve multiple surgeries. Complete removal of mesh may not be possible and additional surgeries may not always fully correct the complications.

As with any procedure, some patients will have success while others will not. It is difficult to estimate your specific results. Your physician will explain all of your options and determine with you which treatment plan is most appropriate for your specific medical situation. Your physician will consider a number of factors to determine the likelihood of recurrence in your situation. The most appropriate treatment plan for you will be determined by taking these factors into consideration.

Every patient’s recovery experience is unique, and you should consult your doctor as to what they expect in your individual case. As with any surgery, it is expected that you feel some soreness, but most patients return to normal activity after a short period of time. Please consult with your surgeon on specific activities to avoid during recovery. Before you are discharged from the hospital, you may be given a prescription for an antibiotic and/or pain medication to relieve discomfort you may experience. You will be instructed on how to care for your incision area. At the discretion of your physician, most patients resume moderate activities within 2 to 4 weeks, with no strenuous activity for up to 6 weeks. Talk with your doctor about post-procedure complications and when to notify them of a potential concern.

Most women see results right after the procedure. Talk with your doctor about what you should expect.

Injectable bulking agents are used to bulk or “fill out” the tissues surrounding the urethra to provide additional support during physical activity in order to prevent or minimize urine leakage caused by stress urinary incontinence. 

Learn more about injectable bulking agents.

This is a decision that should be made by you in consultation with your physician. You should have the opportunity to discuss with your physician all of your treatment options, and then which treatment plan is most appropriate for your specific medical situation. 

Find an doctor who specializes in incontinence near you.

Yes, Bulkamid has been used to treat stress urinary incontinence in women who have undergone previous midurethral slings.

Bulkamid is a safe and effective outpatient treatment option for women experiencing stress urinary incontinence. It can be performed in your doctor’s office and takes about 20 minutes.

During the procedure, your doctor will give 3–4 injections of Bulkamid to help bulk up the urethra and reduce urine leakage. Choosing Bulkamid does not necessarily exclude you from pursuing other treatment options in the future. 

Your doctor will talk to you so you know what to expect from your treatment.

Find a doctor near you.

Your physician will give you specific instructions regarding your activity level after your procedure.

Bulkamid Urethral Bulking System is indicated for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) in adult women. The Cystoscope is indicated for endoscopic surgical procedures.  

 Bulkamid Urethral Bulking System must not be used in patients suffering from acute urinary tract infection. Consult your physician if you are suffering from other pelvic infections, pelvic trauma, or pelvic inflammatory disease.  

 Potential risks may include infection, inability or difficulty to urinate, painful urination, excreted bulking material, embolism, blood in the urine, frequent urination at night, urinary tract infection, intense sudden need to urinate, infection or irritation in the vagina/genital area, worsening urinary incontinence, abnormal blood lab results (Immunoglobulin E), back/neck pain, dizziness/fainting, pain, blockage of blood vessels by a clot, redness of the skin, inflammation, migration of injected Bulkamid material, and urethral erosion.  

 Patients suffering from blood coagulation disorders are at higher risk of complications including hematoma or urethral bleeding, as with any invasive procedure. If a patient has undergone major surgery or dental work, Bulkamid should not be injected until the patient has fully recovered. The effect of Bulkamid has not been evaluated in women during pregnancy, delivery or lactation. Patients should be counseled that one or more repeat Bulkamid Hydrogel injection procedures may be required.  

 Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the use of the device.

Your physician will give you specific instructions regarding your activity level after your procedure. Most people return to normal activity within one to two days.

Most women see results right after the procedure. Talk with your physician about what you should expect.

Sacral neuromodulation therapy is a safe, clinically proven therapy, designed to be user-friendly that uses sacral nerve stimulation, also known as sacral neuromodulation, which may help restore healthy communication between the brain, bladder, and bowel.⁶ This treatment option may help reduce the symptoms of overactive bladder, bowel incontinence, and urinary retention.

Learn more about sacral neuromodulation therapy. 

Sacral neuromodulation therapy provides stimulation to the nerves that control the bladder and bowel. The stimulation may help restore normal communication between the brain and the bladder and/or bowel, which can result in an improvement of your overactive bladder, bowel incontinence, and urinary retention symptoms.

Learn more about sacral neuromodulation therapy.

Sacral neuromodulation therapy is not a cure, but it is a long-term therapy that may provide relief of your symptoms.

Sacral neuromodulation therapy is a treatment indicated for people suffering from overactive bladder, bowel incontinence, and/or urinary retention who have not found relief with previous treatments. Seek advice from your doctor to see whether sacral neuromodulation therapy is right for you.

Find a doctor near you.

No, sacral neuromodulation therapy is not indicated for treating stress incontinence. 

Explore stress incontinence treatment options.

Sacral neuromodulation therapy provides the choice between rechargeable or recharge-free systems. The Axonics F15 SNM System is intended to last 10 to 20 years, depending on your therapy settings. The Axonics R20 SNM System is intended to last 20+ years.

Speak with your doctor’s office and insurance carrier to learn more about your insurance coverage prior to receiving treatment.