URINARY INCONTINENCE QUIZ
Take this simple quiz to understand the severity of your bladder leakage symptoms, taking ~2 minutes to complete.
Rigicon® Talks Artificial Urinary Sphincter Videos
Top 10 Questions Answered about Artificial Urinary Sphincters
| Time | Question |
|---|---|
| 02:20 | How do I know if I am a candidate for the artificial urinary sphincter? |
| 04:15 | How does the artificial urinary sphincter work? |
| 06:35 | Can I choose the type of AUS I receive? |
| 10:12 | Will the AUS be noticeable to others? |
| 12:55 | What can I expect during recovery from AUS surgery? |
| 15:56 | How do I prepare for AUS surgery? |
| 20:50 | What should I discuss with my doctor before getting an AUS? |
| 26:35 | Can I still engage in physical activities with an AUS? |
| 30:33 | Can I have an MRI with an artificial urinary sphincter? |
| 31:55 | How long does an AUS last, and what is the likelihood of needing a revision? |
The Patient and Nurse Perspective in Prosthetic Urology
| Time | Question |
|---|---|
| 00:40 | What is the nurse’s role in prosthetic urology surgeries, and how do nurses help patients prepare for the procedure? |
| 02:23 | How can nurses help patients manage their expectations and concerns before surgery? |
| 03:26 | What does the typical recovery process look like after surgery? |
| 05:19 | How does teamwork between nurses and surgeons impact patient care and outcomes in prosthetic urology surgeries? |
| 06:06 | What advice would you give to patients considering an implant? |
URINARY INCONTINENCE
URINARY INCONTINENCE
Urinary incontinence (UI) is an involuntary or unwanted loss of urine. If incontinence is frequent or affects your quality of life, it is important to seek help.
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Request InformationFAQ
What is urinary incontinence?
Stress urinary incontinence, or “SUI” for short in English, is when urine leaks out. This occurs when suddenly the pressure is put on the bladder and urethra. This pressure causes the sphincter muscles to open briefly. When these muscles open, urine leaks out. In the cases of mild stress urinary incontinence, pressure may be due to sudden forceful activities, such as doing exercise, sneezing, laugh or coughing. In the most serious cases SUI, escape occurs during less forceful activities, such as getting up, walking, or bending over. The accidents of this type may be just a few drops of urine or enough to wet clothes.
Types of incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a problem related to loss of urine control. There are two main types:
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI): When a small or moderate amount of urine leaks out of control. This occurs by coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
Urge urinary incontinence (UUI) or overactive bladder (OAB): A sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate. Leakage is moderate to significant.
What are the causes of urinary incontinence?
Among the most common risk factors for urinary stress incontinence are:
- Pregnancy and giving birth
- Injury to the nerves of the lower back
- Smoking (causing coughing)
- Chronic cough
- Being overweight
What are the symptoms of urinary incontinence?
The main symptom of stress urinary incontinence is urine leakage during any activity that puts pressure on the abdomen. These “accidents” of leaking urine may be just a few drops or enough to wet clothes.
Treatment options urinary incontinence
Sometimes, conservative or pharmacological treatments may not improve urinary incontinence. In such cases, other treatment options are available. Together with your doctor, you can decide which approach is best for you, considering the potential benefits and side effects of each option.
Surgical treatment options for urgency urinary incontinence include:
- Bladder wall injections: A substance is injected into the bladder wall to prevent involuntary contractions.
- Nerve stimulation (neuromodulation): Electrical pulses are used to stimulate the sacral nerves, which control bladder function.
- Bladder enlargement surgery: This is typically a last resort when all other treatments have failed, and it is rarely performed today. If recommended, it is essential to discuss its potential side effects and implications with your doctor, as they can be significant.
Surgical treatment options for stress urinary incontinence include:
- Suburethral slings: A sling is placed under the urethra to support it.
- Bulking agents: A substance is injected into the urethra to increase its resistance.
- External compression devices: Devices designed to compress the urethra and prevent leakage.
Second-line treatment for urgency urinary incontinence
Sometimes, self-management or prescribed medications do not improve urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). In such cases, alternative treatment options are available, and you can decide the best approach with your doctor.
Common second-line treatment options for UUI include:
- Bladder wall injections
- Nerve stimulation (neuromodulation)
- Surgery to enlarge the bladder
Bladder surgery
If symptoms do not improve with medication or other treatments, bladder surgery may be required to increase the bladder’s capacity. This procedure helps reduce pressure in the bladder, allowing it to hold more urine.
During the procedure, the doctor makes an incision in the lower abdomen and uses a section of the bowel to enlarge the bladder. This surgery is called bladder augmentation or cystoplasty and is rarely performed today. If it is recommended, you should thoroughly discuss the potential risks and side effects with your doctor.
Surgical treatment for men with SUI
If you suffer from stress urinary incontinence (SUI), your doctor will examine and advise you of your treatment options.
Men at risk of developing urinary incontinence include those whose prostate has been partially or entirely removed. Since the prostate surrounds the urethra and helps resist bladder pressure, its removal can reduce resistance, leading to urinary leakage.
Treatment options aim to improve or cure the condition. The approach depends on:
- Your age
- Your overall health
- The severity of your urinary incontinence
- How bothersome your symptoms are
Standard Surgical Treatments
Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS): External compression of the urethra using a hand-controlled pump. Recommended for men with moderate to severe urinary leakage.
Sling Implantation: A band-like structure placed under the urethra to provide support. Suitable for men with mild to moderate leakage.
Adjustable Slings: Similar to slings but adjustable after surgery if needed. Recommended for men with mild to moderate leakage.
Special Situations
Bulking Agents: A substance injected into the urethral wall to improve closure. Recommended for men with mild leakage who are not eligible for major surgery, expect only short-term benefit, or wish to delay standard surgical treatment.
*The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) implantation
Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation is the standard treatment for moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence.
The AUS allows you to control your bladder with a hand-operated pump to compress and release a cuff around the urethra. The AUS consists of:
- An inflatable cuff placed around the urethra
- A reservoir to store liquid and keep the pressure in the system, placed into the belly
- A valve or pump to control the cuff, placed into the scrotum
The goal of the AUS is to reduce urine leakage during activities such as sneezing, coughing, running, or lifting weights.
The AUS can have complications, such as mechanical failure or infection, which may require removal.