Stress Urinary Incontinence – there's a better solution
Many women suffer from occasional Stress Urinary Incontinence – generally speaking it's a minor embarrassment. But for a significant number of women, usually those who have had children, it's a real problem which affects quality of life.
The off-the-shelf option is to buy absorbent pads, specifically designed for this problem. But that's an uncomfortable option for many – and an additional expense. Wearing a pad day in, day out inhibits the wearing of certain clothes, compromises some sporting and social activity and also has an unpleasant impact on intimacy.
Historically, women opting for surgery have needed to be sure that they have completed their family as some procedures can compromise the ability to conceive. But now there's Bulkamid®, a minimally invasive procedure which works by improving the closing mechanism of the urethra.
What is Bulkamid®?
It's an injection therapy – a minimally invasive procedure normally performed under local anaesthetic on an outpatient basis. Three small deposits of Bulkamid® hydrogel are injected into the wall of the urethra to improve the closing mechanism and to prevent urine from flowing into the urethra. Properties of Bulkamid® include
- Not absorbed in the tissue
- Does not migrate to other parts of the body
- Does not change tissue structure
- Maintains elasticity over time
- Does not cause allergic reactions
What do your patients need to know?
The patient will normally be discharged after the first normal voiding to ensure she can empty her bladder. Side effects should be minimal but may include possible pain during the first voiding, inflammation of the bladder (but this is very rare and can be simply treated with antibiotics), some changes or difficulties in emptying the bladder in the first few days post-surgery.
Information and support
Bulkamid® comes from ETHICON™ Women's Health & Urology, a division of Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd company which is dedicated to providing innovative solutions for common women's health problems.
Patients who would like more information about problems to do with Continence, Heavy Periods, Fibroids, Pelvic Organ Prolapse or Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy can call our dedicated women's careline on 0800 783 9162 to speak to a qualified nurse.
Click here to download our patient leaflet “Controlling Incontinence – What YOU can do about it”
Published in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing's Practice Nurse Association
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