How is a Vasectomy Done?

Vasectomy is one of the most effective and safest methods of birth control. It is also a quick, easy and office-based procedure that patients can walk in and out of without assistance. During a vasectomy, the small tubes in the scrotum called vas deferens are either cut or blocked off to prevent sperm from leaving the body to cause pregnancy. The surgical procedure takes 10-30 minutes and you can return home on the same day.

Specialized attention

At St Pete Urology, we ensure that patients get the best and safest operation possible. Our vasectomy procedures are typically performed in the office of a urologist, a doctor specialized in treating conditions of the urinary tract and reproductive system. Prior to the procedure, the urologist discusses all aspects of vasectomy with the patients and their partners as openly and candidly as possible. This ensures that the procedure is performed only on the right patients. We also give all our patients close and confidential attention and help them through the decision-making process.

Types of vasectomy

There are two types of vasectomies: the conventional (incision) method and the non-scalpel [no-cut) method. With the incision method, the urologist makes 1 or 2 small cuts in the scrotum in order to access the vas deferens. A tiny section of the vas deferens is cut and removed, then the ends are cauterized (sealed with heat) and tied with stitches. The urologist completes the operation by performing the same procedure on the other testicle, either via the same opening or a second scrotal incision. After the vas deferens is tied off, the doctor applies skin “glue” or a few stitches to close the opening(s) in the scrotum.

With the non-scalpel method, the urologist makes a tiny puncture hole on one side of the scrotum. Using the hole, the doctor finds and pulls out the vas deferens from under the skin. After cutting and removing a small section of the vas deferens, the doctor ties off or cauterizes its ends before putting it back in place. The procedure then is repeated on the other testicle. No stitches are necessary because the puncture holes are quite small. Since you will be awake throughout the procedure, the doctor gives you a localized anesthetic to numb the scrotum and minimize pain and discomfort. However, you will still feel some pulling and tugging during the procedure.

Recovery

Whether performed through the incision or the non-scalpel method, vasectomy is typically a minimally invasive procedure that you will recover from quickly. After the procedure, you will experience mild to moderate pain and soreness in the scrotal area, but this can be managed easily with pain medication. It will take you about 5-7 days to return to full activity and 1-2 weeks to resume sexual intercourse. Be sure to contact your doctor as soon as you experience any complications.

Ignore the myths

Vasectomy will not change your sexual desire or performance. It does not affect your levels of testosterone, erections and volume of ejaculate. In fact, based on available clinical data, vasectomy does not have any long-term effects on sex drive in men. On the contrary, many men have reported a remarkable improvement in their sexual vigor and enthusiasm after the procedure because they have been relieved of the fear of unwanted pregnancy. Vasectomy also will not increase your risk of prostate enlargement or prostate cancer. So if you are thinking of having a vasectomy, ignore the myths and speak with your doctor for help.

At St Pete Urology, we have offered non-scalpel vasectomies for many years and incision vasectomies for much longer. We provide comprehensive vasectomy services that include pre-procedure consultations, a safe and effective office-based procedure, and all the requisite follow-up testing. If you are thinking about having a vasectomy, call or visit us for help. For more information, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

5 Essential Reasons Why Women Should See A Urologist

Urologists are not only specialists for men but also providers of essential medical services for women. Trained to treat urinary tract problems both medically and surgically, urologists offer the best treatment for bladder control issues and other disorders of the female urinary tract and reproductive system. So when faced with urological issues at any stage of life, women may need to see these doctors for quick resolution of the problems. In fact, women should consider seeing urologists when having frequent urges to urinate, leaking urine, pain in the sides or back, bloody urine, and burning or pain during urination. The 5 essential reasons why women should see a urologist are:

1. Overactive bladder

Characterized by a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate, waking more than once at night to urinate and urinating 8 or more times in 24 hours, overactive bladder affects many women of all ages and has several potential causes. Since treatment for the condition is dependent on the identified cause, it is important to see a urologist to carry out tests in order to determine the cause and recommend the best treatment. At St. Pete Urology in St. Petersburg, doctors use specialized testing and recommend personalized treatment for women with overactive bladder.

2. Urinary incontinence

Bladder control problems can affect women of all ages and are a very common issue. By definition, urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control which can lead to accidental leakage of urine. For example, women with urinary incontinence (UI) have trouble holding urine, particularly when they cough, sneeze or exercise. Caused by obesity, pregnancy later in life, childbirth and even menopause, UI affects roughly 57 percent of women between the age of 40 and 60. Treatments for the condition include exercises for strengthening pelvic muscles, medication, implanted devices, injections and surgery.

3. Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Even though urinary tract infections commonly occur in women and can be quickly treated with antibiotics and other measures, recurrent infections may be a sign of a larger issue requiring the attention of a urologist. Women experiencing two or more urinary tract infections in 6 months, or even three or more UTIs in one year should see a urologist to explore the possibility of having a recurrent problem. The urologist will diagnose the issue using kidney scans, culture test and other tests, identify the actual cause of the recurrent infection, and recommend effective treatment for breaking the series of recurrent infections.

4. Kidney stones

While kidney stones are a more common problem in men than women, about 7 percent of women will have kidney stones at some stage of their life. There is a higher risk for a woman to develop kidney stones if she does not drink enough water, frequently eats meals high in protein, takes medicines that can cause kidney stones as a side effect, has had a stone before, has certain diseases, or is over 50. The stones can form in the bladder, ureters or kidneys and may be passed out on their own with high fluid intake or removed through different treatment options. If you are a woman experiencing extreme pain on your back, side, lower abdomen, groin, or pain during urination, vomiting, nausea or blood in urine, please visit St. Pete Urology in St Petersburg for immediate help.

5. Fallen bladder and bladder cancer

The bladder is usually held in position by the pelvic floor. But when the pelvic floor is stretched or weakened, particularly due to aging, menopause, obesity or prior pelvic surgery, the bladder may drop into the vagina, resulting in complications such as overactive bladder, urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence. Pelvic floor prolapse (also called fallen bladder or cystocele) can be corrected either surgically or nonsurgically by placing a pessary in the vagina to hold up the organs. Apart from fallen bladder, urologists are also recommended to treat bladder and kidney cancer.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing symptoms such as blood in urine, frequent urination, burning or pain when urinating, or pelvic pain, call or visit St. Peter Urology for help. Our urologists offer top-of-the-line comprehensive urological services to women and are committed to patient satisfaction. Evaluation of urological conditions includes a complete patient history, medical exam, urodynamics (bladder EKG), imaging, cytoscopy and all necessary lab tests. For more information on the treatment of urological conditions in women, visit the site, St Pete Urology.

Why Interstim Therapy is For Both Men and Women

For men who suffer from embarrassing and frustrating bladder control problems like retention and overactive bladder, it is typically difficult to control when and how much you urinate. As a result, you may be compelled to cut back on your everyday activities, feeling trapped by the fear of accidental leaks and being unduly preoccupied with your bladder. Unfortunately, you also may find out that common treatments such as behavior modification, drugs, dietary changes, use of catheters to empty your bladder or pelvic floor exercises do not effectively treat your symptoms. What can you do when traditional treatments for bladder problems fail or are intolerable? Never despair. Instead, just visit a competent urologist to administer InterStim therapy.

What is InterStim Therapy?

Also called Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS), InterStim is a reversible therapy for treatment of urinary incontinence, urgency (frequency), urinary retention and overactive bladder. It involves implanting an InterStim device (neurostimulator) into the skin in order to send mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves (nerves located above the tailbone) which control the bladder and muscles associated with urinary function. As a result, the electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves promotes communication between the brain and bladder, improves bladder control functions and eliminates symptoms of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.

Effective for Both Men and Women

Many people tend to consider InterStim therapy as an exclusive treatment for women with bladder control problems. In truth, however, the therapy is also ideal for men who have failed medications, experience serious adverse effects with bladder medications or do not like using catheters to empty their bladder. Incontinence is a common problem affecting both men and women and any person experiencing the problem can explore InterStim therapy as an effective and convenient option regardless of their sex.

How is the Procedure Performed?

InterStim therapy is a two-stage process involving minimally invasive testing (test stimulation) and the eventual placement of the InterStim device. The urologist conducts the non-invasive test to determine the possible response to the actual device while allowing patients to see if InterStim would be appropriate for them. After successful testing, the InterStim device is placed using a minimally invasive technique in which small and inconspicuous incisions are made on the skin.

InterStim improves the quality of life and will help you to return to your normal life quickly with no more worries of accidental urine leaks. Doctors at St Pete Urology have conducted hundreds of InterStim therapy since the device was approved by the FDA. We help both men and women regain their confidence and dignity. For more information on treatment of bladder control problems, visit the site, St Pete Urology.

Top 3 Questions Frequently Asked by Women about Vasectomy

For couples who have made the decision not to have any more children, vasectomy is a trustworthy and effective birth control method. Though performed on a man, vasectomy is a permanent birth control method with 99.85 percent efficacy and a guarantee that the woman will not have unwanted pregnancies in the future. It does not interfere with a man’s sex drive, erections, orgasm and ejaculation and is only accompanied by temporary discomfort in men. But as with men, many women have worries about the procedure and are concerned whether it can hurt their relationships, sexually and emotionally. Here are the top 3 FAQs women ask about vasectomy.

1. Is vasectomy a perfect form of contraception?

As a permanent means of preventing pregnancy that works through the cutting of the vas deferens, tubes carrying sperm from the testes to the penis, vasectomy ensures sperm does not exit the penis during ejaculation. After the procedure, a man’s body continues to produce sperm, but the secreted sperm die and get reabsorbed by the body. A man cannot make a woman pregnant after vasectomy as long as the couple has used an alternative birth control method for the first 8-12 weeks after the procedure to allow the sperm count in the semen to drop to zero. Once the man has had a follow up test of the semen to confirm there is a zero sperm count, the couple can enjoy sexual activity without any more worries of pregnancy or need for other birth control methods.

2. Is vasectomy easier and more effective than tubal ligation?

Women can have their “tubes tied” surgically by a gynecologist. Tubal ligation is the closing of the fallopian tubes to prevent sperm from reaching an egg (ovum). When not undertaken during a caesarian section (C-section), tubal ligation is a complex procedure requiring a hospital setting, abdominal incisions and general anesthesia, posing a greater risk of complications such as scar tissue, bleeding and longer recovery. On the other hand, vasectomy is a less complex 15-20-minute procedure often performed by a urologist in an ambulatory surgery center (or rarely in the doctor’s office or hospital setting) using local anesthesia and accompanied with minimal to mild discomfort. Vasectomy also can be performed using the no-scalpel technique that requires no incisions, ensuring recovery occurs within a few days. In a sense, vasectomy is easier to perform and more effective in preventing pregnancies than tubal ligation.

3. Can vasectomy be reversed?

For women exploring vasectomy as a permanent birth control method, there is usually the question of what happens when life’s circumstances change after having the procedure and there is a need to conceive naturally. What if we lose all our children or find ourselves in a situation where we need a child after years of having a vasectomy? Well, for such couples, the option of vasectomy reversal can be explored. St. Pete Urology Center has a team of skilled and experienced vasectomy reversal urologists offering reversal services with over 90 percent success rate to couples who wish to have the procedure reversed in order to conceive naturally.

Our team of urologists understands that a vasectomy is a major life decision for couples and provides answers to a broad range of questions on the issue. For more information on vasectomy, visit the site, St Pete Urology.

Infographic: Everything You Need to Know About Kidney Stones

Everything You Need to Know About Kidney Stones

People sometimes may have kidney stones for several years without experiencing severe symptoms. The stones may pass out in urine with little pain and just a few mild-to-moderate symptoms. However, whether you have not had a kidney stone or only experienced a little pain when passing a stone, it is advisable to take precautionary steps to avoid more serious problems. For example, eating certain types of foods such as large amounts of lemons and oranges may cause kidney stones. But before eliminating various food items from your diet, you should consult a urologist. The urologist will conduct a proper evaluation of your current health status and provide clear guidance on which foods may cause kidney stones.

Common symptoms

A kidney stone often shows no symptoms until it has moved into the ureter. And when symptoms finally show, they commonly include:

  • Sudden, severe pain in the groin or in the side of your abdomen
  • A burning sensation during urination
  • Pain and difficulty during urination
  • A persistent urge to urinate
  • Reduced quantity of urine excreted
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Blood in urine
  • Pus/white blood cells in urine
  • Chills and fever (if there is an infection)
  • Causes of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones typically vary in size, with some capable of growing as large as golf balls. The most common cause of the stones is lack of water in the body. The condition is often found in people who drink less than the recommended 8-10 glasses of water per day. When there is inadequate water in the body to dilute uric acid (a core component of urine), the urine will become more acidic and create a perfect environment for formation of the stones. Medical conditions like renal tubular acidosis, Dent’s disease, medullary sponge kidney, hyperparathyroidism, urinary tract infections and Crohn’s disease also increase the risk of kidney stones.

For prevention of kidney stones, you should:

  • Drink 2.5-3 liters of water every day
  • Reduce sodium or salt intake in your diet
  • Follow a healthy diet and avoid red meat. Daily or frequent consumption of red meat may cause kidney stones.
  • Exercise regularly and make sure to get enough sleep
  • Quit smoking and avoid alcohol
  • Treatment for kidney stones

The treatment is usually focused on managing the symptoms since passing a stone may be really painful. In the hospital, a urologist may choose:

  • Rehydration via an intravenous tube, accompanied with anti-inflammatory medication. Narcotics may be used to reduce the pain of passing the stones while antiemetic medication may be given to stop nausea and vomiting.
  • Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) may be performed by a urologist to break a kidney stone into small pieces to enable it to pass.
  • Laser surgery with ureteroscopy may be performed for large stones located in areas that do not allow for lithotripsy.
  • PNL/PCNL, flexible ureteroscopy, also may be considered by a urologist.

At St. Pete Urology, we offer many options and state-of-the-art facilities for successful treatment of kidney stones. For more information, visit the site, St Pete Urology.

What is The Prostate and Prostate Enlargement?

The prostate gland (commonly called prostate) is a small, chestnut-sized organ in men located beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum (back passage). The urethra, the tube that passes urine from the bladder to the penis, runs through the prostate. By producing a fluid called prostatic fluid that makes up around 15-30 percent of the total volume of semen, the prostate plays a significant role in the function and viability of sperm cells and is critical for a man’s fertility.

Prostatic fluid contains citric acid, zinc, spermine and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which protect and enrich sperm and reduces acidity of the vaginal canal. Muscles of the prostate usually press into the urethra during ejaculation, helping sperm to move through the urethra.

What is prostate enlargement?

While the prostate is usually a small gland, it typically grows bigger with age. In fact, from birth to early 20s, the prostate grows by around 8 times its initial size. Then from around the age of 25 to early 50s the prostate doubles in size and continues to grow gradually. It is this second phase of growth of the gland which, in later years, results in a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

As the prostate grows larger, it causes the muscles at the base of the bladder to become thicker and pressures the urethra to become narrower. By squeezing the urethra more tightly, the enlarged prostate makes it difficult to urinate. The bladder also may become more sensitive, causing a need to pass urine more frequently and suddenly. In some cases, prostate enlargement may cause a blockage that triggers repeated urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, and acute urinary retention (sudden inability to pass urine).

How common is prostate enlargement?

Although prostate growth continues almost throughout a man’s life, the resulting enlargement does not usually cause serious problems until late in life. An enlarged prostate hardly causes symptoms before the age of 40, but some symptoms occur in half of men in their 60s and in up to 90 percent of men in their 70s and 80s. In the United States, as many as 14 million men experience lower urinary tract problems related to benign prostatic hyperplasia while at least 400,000 annual hospital stays involve a diagnosis of prostate enlargement.

You are more likely to have BPH if:

  • You are 40 or older.
  • You have a family history of BPH.
  • You lack physical exercise.
  • You have erectile dysfunction.
  • You have medical conditions like type-II diabetes, obesity, circulatory and heart disease.


Common symptoms of prostate enlargement include:

  • Urinating 8 or more times a day (urine frequency).
  • Inability to delay urination (urine urgency).
  • Trouble starting to urinate.
  • A weak or interrupted urine stream.
  • Inability to empty your bladder completely (urine retention).
  • Dribbling at the end of urination.
  • Accidental leakage of urine (urinary incontinence).
  • Pain during urination or after ejaculation.
  • Unusual color or smell of urine.
  • Blood in urine.

Most of these symptoms are not specific to benign prostatic enlargement and may be caused by bladder problems, prostatitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or a more serious problem such as prostate cancer. Therefore, men with such symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis and treatment of prostate enlargement

When you visit a GP or a specialist such as urologist, various steps will be taken to determine the cause of your symptoms. The doctor will take your medical, personal and family history, ask questions about the symptoms and their effect on your life and conduct a physical examination to check the size, feel and shape of your prostate. The urologist also may request tests such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and ultrasound scan to rule out any serious complications.

There are many treatment options for BPH. For instance, the doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, bladder training exercises or medications (such as muscle relaxants and hormone blockers). The doctor also may perform surgery to correct the problem.

At St. Pete Urology, we have a highly skilled team of urologists with a great deal of experience diagnosing and treating BPH and other urinary problems. We fix these issues quickly, safely and effectively, helping you to resume your normal life and activities. For more information on treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, visit the site, St Pete Urology.

Causes of Kidney Stones and Treatment Options

The United States has been experiencing a rise in the number of people with kidney stones over the last 30 years. While less than 4 percent of the population had the disease in the late 1970s, the portion of the population with the disease increased to over 5 percent by the early 1990s, and today 1 in 11 Americans has kidney stones. The stones occur more frequently in men than women, with Caucasians being more prone to developing the stones than African Americans.

The prevalence of the stones increases dramatically as men reach their 40s and continues to increase into their 70s. But for women, the occurrence of the stones peaks in their 50s. After a person gets more than one stone, the chance of other stones developing increases radically.

What causes kidney stones?

The major cause of kidney stones is a lack of fluids in the body, which allows minerals and salts to concentrate and crystallize over weeks or months to form the stones. Most often, the stones result from a build-up of certain chemicals in the body, such as ammonia, calcium, uric acid or cysteine. You are more likely to have kidney stones if you do not drink enough fluids.

It is also believed that high-oxalate foods such as spinach, peanuts, sweet potatoes, chocolate, okra, black Indian tea, wheat germ, beets and rhubarb, may increase the risk of developing kidney stones. In the South, often referred to as the stone belt, people tend to be dehydrated in the summer and drink a lot of tea, increasing the chances of developing stones.

You are also more likely to have kidney stones if you:

  • Are between 30-50 years old
  • Have a family history of kidney stones
  • Have hypercalciuria (unusually high amounts of calcium in urine).
  • Are taking certain medicines, such as diuretics (like triamterene) or protease inhibitors (like indinavir)
  • Are taking too much antacids, calcium, vitamin C or vitamin D supplements.
  • Have metabolic syndrome (a combination of many heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure, high sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels and obesity)
  • Have a condition such as hyperthyroidism, gout or high blood pressure
  • Have cystitis
  • Have a condition that affects the structure or shape of your ureters or kidneys

Even though small kidney stones are often asymptomatic and may pass with little or no pain, large stones that block the urine’s path may cause severe symptoms. These could include sharp pain in the lower back or abdomen, painful urination, fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, blood in urine, and abnormally colored urine. It is important to visit your urologist if you experience such symptoms. The urologist will order blood and urine tests and imaging, and recommend appropriate treatment.

At St Pete Urology in St. Petersburg, we use minimally-invasive techniques and have a wide array of treatment options for kidney stones. If you think you may have kidney stones or have questions about the condition, visit the St Pete Urology website.

How much can a vasectomy cost?

If you and your partner have decided that you do not want any more children, you may be considering a vasectomy. If so, you are definitely not alone. About 600,000 men get vasectomies every year in the United States. And even though you may have questions about the techniques, safety, success rate, reversal, pain or side effects of the procedure, it is also important to consider the cost of a vasectomy.How much does a vasectomy cost? Across the United States, prices vary from one clinic or surgeon to another, ranging between $300 and $3,000 in many urology clinics, or as high as $4,000 to $5,000 in others. Follow-up analysis of semen for the presence of sperm may also cost an extra $75 per visit, though some practices include this fee in their overall package price.

Factors that determine the cost of a vasectomy include:
Where you live – Your residential area or city determines which hospitals and urologists are available. Some areas generally have higher prices than others.

Your personal health status – You will have additional expenses if there are pre-existing health problems.
The technique used for the vasectomy – Various surgical procedures have different degrees of complexity and therefore different costs.

Risks of the procedure – You may have unexpected or additional costs if any emergencies occur during the procedure.

Your health insurance plan – Depending on whether the urologist is in network or out-of-network, your co-insurance, deductible and co-pay amounts will vary, affecting your out-of-pocket payments.

Vasectomies in the United States are evenly divided between providers offering the traditional procedure versus the no-needle, non-scalpel procedure. Typically, the traditional incision vasectomies take 20-30 minutes to perform while non-incision techniques take less time. The recovery time is the same for the traditional and non-incision non-scalpel technique, which is 1 or 2 days of rest followed by a week of no strenuous exercise or work. Pregnancy is still possible after a vasectomy and you are expected to get follow-up sperm counts to confirm complete sterility. Using another form of contraception, such as condoms, is recommended for 2-4 months (12-24 ejaculations) while the presence of sperm in semen is still being monitored.

Cost of Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

While vasectomies are considered permanent, a change in circumstances may call for a reversal. Reverse vasectomy, also called Vasovasostomy, means reconnecting the tubes (vas deferens) that were cut during a vasectomy. Vasectomy reversal surgery has a success rate of 85%-98%, but the procedure is not inexpensive, costing at least $4,900 compared to the lowest vasectomy cost of $300.

At St Pete Urology, we understand that cost is not the only consideration when selecting a urologist for your vasectomy procedure. Therefore, we strive to provide competitive rates for all our procedures without compromising the quality of our health care. We offer many treatment options and we are committed to making the procedure as quick and comfortable as possible. For more information about our medical services and rates, visit St Pete Urology in St Peetersburg, Florida.

When Should You Get A PSA Test?

When should you take the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test? The question of screening is typically a personal and complex issue that requires a consultation with a urologist. Currently, the medical community does not share a unanimous opinion regarding the benefits of prostate cancer screening.

Most physician-led groups, like the American Urological Association and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, insist that PSA screening ought to be considered within the context of a man’s life expectancy and level of risk given other prior or existing medical conditions. Other groups have advised that PSA screening for healthy men under 40 comes with a risk of harm that may outweigh the benefits depending on the patient’s medical history.

When should you start screening?

The decision on when to start screening should depend on your overall health, level of risk, life expectancy, and desire for treatment should you be diagnosed with prostate cancer. While the time to start screening depends on individual factors, the age of 40 years is a reasonable time to begin, particularly for those with genetic predispositions or a family history of cancer. Likewise, for healthy men at high risk, such as African American men with a family history of prostate cancer, starting at age 40 is advisable.

For men at average risk, a urologist may recommend the initial DRE or PSA test at age 40 or 45, while some urologists may recommend starting at age 50. In general, most men have discussed PSA testing with their doctor by the time they reach age 50. This means that men above 40 years should consider discussing PSA screening with their urologist to determine if and when the test is right for them. All men should develop a proactive prostate health plan based on their family history and lifestyle.

When should you visit a urologist?

The above recommendations are specific to prostate cancer screening for healthy men showing no symptoms. If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer and a confirmation is made using a biopsy, your urologist may recommend routine PSA testing for risk assessment and post-treatment monitoring.

The right time to start PSA screening is an individual decision that depends on your risk level and family history. Visit your urologist to discuss the timing of this important medical test for men. For more information on the screening and treatment of prostate cancer, visit St Pete Urology in St Petersburg, Florida.

Why is InterStim Therapy Effective against Overactive Bladder?

Overactive Bladder (OAB) is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to urinate, a frequent need to pass urine during the day and night, accidental urine leakage, and inability to get to the bathroom in time due. This condition greatly affects quality of life by having life revolve around uncontrollable urination problems. Those afflicted avoid social functions due to fear of urine leaks, foul smell and embarrassment, wake up too many times at night to urinate, stay home to avoid public shame, or reduce food and liquid consumption to avoid triggering bladder spasms. While there are several treatment options for OAB that include medications and pelvic floor exercises, a number of patients either do not respond to these treatments or find them intolerable. For such patients, InterStim therapy offers the best hope for controlling the bladder, relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.

How Does the InterStim Procedure Relieve Overactive Bladder?

InterStim therapy is a proven, minimally invasive treatment for overactive bladder. It helps to relieve the symptoms of OAB by delivering electrical impulses to the sacral nerves (found in the tailbone area), modifying abnormal reflexes in the pelvic and sacral nerves of the pelvic floor and bladder, and altering abnormal communications between the brain and bladder. The InterStim device is implanted under the skin around the location of the sacral nerves (upper buttock) so that mild electrical impulses are generated for stimulating the sacral nerves, correcting malfunctioning nerves and improving bladder control. In fact, InterStim therapy interrupts the abnormal signals transmitted in people with overactive bladder and reduces episodes of urinary incontinence.

Why is InterStim Therapy Effective against Overactive Bladder?

Unlike other therapies, the effectiveness of InterStim therapy can be assessed by physicians and patients through a test evaluation stage before commitment to long-term therapy. Roughly 80% of patients who undergo test evaluation have a successful response and can proceed to have the InterStim device implanted. According to studies, patients with successful trial stimulation will experience 50%-90% improvement in overactive bladder symptoms after the implant has been placed. In fact, people with overactive bladder have reported significant improvements in the number of incontinence episodes per week, with the majority of patients being completely free of incontinence after InterStim therapy. There is also a major reduction in the number of times patients urinate per day after treatment, while almost all patients report improvement in quality of life after InterStim procedure.

InterStim therapy is minimally invasive in nature and completely safe and reversible. Therefore, the patient can discontinue it any time it fails to meet expectations. It also does not prevent the use of alternative treatments and can easily be combined with any other treatment for a better outcome. If you or your loved one is suffering from overactive bladder and find other treatments ineffective or intolerable, do not hesitate to ask your urologist about InterStim therapy. For more information on treating urological problems, visit St Pete Urology.