Approximately 13 million Americans suffer from some form of urinary incontinence. Stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary incontinence and occurs in approximately 60% of women. Stress incontinence is defined as the involuntary loss of urine during physical exertion with increased abdominal pressure. Symptoms that cause urine loss include laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting, rising from a chair or bed, and other forms of exercise. Stress incontinence is uncomfortable and embarrassing and may cause women to avoid exercise, intercourse, or other activities.
Dr. Francois Blaudeau, at Medical West, is now performing two minimally invasive procedures that can correct this frustrating condition.
Stress incontinence typically occurs in women after they have reached middle age. Stress incontinence may occur as a result of a weak pelvic floor and a poorly supported urethral sphincter.
Risk factors for stress incontinence include childbirth, smoking, sex, advancing age, obesity and childbirth. Other health conditions such as bronchitis or asthma, which cause chronic coughing, may also increase the risk of stress incontinence.
Fortunately, there two new treatment options available for stress incontinence. Physicians at Medical West are now performing two minimally invasive surgical procedures to correct this condition.
The first of these is the TVT procedure and can be preformed in 20-25 minutes with the patient returning home the same day. There is a small incision made in the vaginal wall and a permanent mesh-like material is placed underneath the urethra and anchored to the abdominal muscles above the pubic bone, creating a sling-like effect. This procedure requires a minimal recovery time and a very low pain level.
The second option to correct Stress Incontinence is the Trans-Obturator approach. This procedure involves very little risk with no mortality rate. The pain level associated with this procedure is extremely low. It is an outpatient surgery, with the patient returning to regular activities in less than a week.
Dr. Francois Blaudeau of Medical West is currently performing these procedures. For more information or to make an appointment, call 996-WEST.