Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse are fairly common conditions in women who have gone through menopause. Several other factors can also make it hard to control urine. Doctors have been developing several surgical and non-surgical procedures to help patients. Sling surgery and mesh surgery are invasive procedures where surgeons insert supports into the pelvic area so women have better control on the nerves and tissues that allow urination.
If you’re nervous about opting for surgical options, your doctor may be able to help you with alternatives that get you the same results so you can live a more normal life. Here are some of the suggestions you may receive.
Physiotherapy Can Strengthen the Pelvic Floor
With the help of a professional who specializes in pelvic floor physiotherapy, you could learn exercises that tighten and lift the muscles are regular intervals. These exercises are similar to Kegel training and strengthen the muscles. You’ll squeeze and relax the tissues used for passing urine at regular intervals of 5 minutes until you gain complete control.
Bladder Training to Regulate Visits to the Bathroom
Your counselor will set up a schedule for using the restroom which you must carefully follow. In addition to urinating as soon as you wake up, you must visit the bathroom at specific timings.
This schedule is planned so you can empty your bladder regularly and avoid the possibility of leaking. Your doctor may also show you how to hold the urge to
Inserting a Vaginal Pessary
The vaginal pessary is a soft, O-ring that fits inside the vagina and is particularly useful for women whose bladder or uterus bulges downward. In addition to helping you with incontinence, the pessary is used to control bowel movements. You can remove and insert the device on your own, and your doctor will likely create a customized ring for you.
diVa Laser Vaginal Therapy
The diVa laser treatment makes use of lasers to repair the tissues and muscles in the pelvic floor. Using energy emitted through a slim probe, the device stimulates the natural regeneration of the tissues around the urethra. Once the walls of the urinary tube become stronger and more elastic, you’ll have better control on your bladder. Since the device runs with computers, you won’t need to worry about burns or any incisions and cuts.
Changes in Your Lifestyle Can Also Help
Your doctor will likely examine you and after asking a series of questions, and recommend the right course of treatment to help you.
Side-by-side, you may receive medication and advice like losing weight and avoiding lifting heavy objects. Treating additional medical conditions like chronic coughs and constipation also helps you with incontinence. These non-invasive methods give you the results you’re looking for without the need to resort to sling therapy or mesh therapy. Discuss your options with the doctor and you can regain self-esteem and the freedom to live life to the fullest.
