Urinary incontinence, urgency, frequency of urination and increased night time urination are common problems that women face.Treatment usually starts conservatively with behavioural modifications and diet adaptation, followed by pelvic floor exercises. Your Women’s Health Physiotherapist can teach you how to effectively contract these muscles, as well as completely relax them, which can also be the problem.
Pharmacotherapy is the next and most common line of treatment and various medications can be prescribed by your doctor. Despite being the most effective non-surgical form of management, several studies have shown that over 70% of patients discontinue these drugs due to their intolerable side effects or ineffectiveness, severely impacting quality of life.
Research has recently recognised ‘Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation’ as the next line of treatment for those patients were conservative options have not met their expectations or have failed. Alternatively, it can also be used in conjunction with drug therapies to lower the dose of drugs for equivalent relief of symptoms. This minimally invasive treatment is administered 30 minutes weekly for 12 weeks with a suggested weaning protocol thereafter. The treatment is delivered through a mild electrical stimulation of the nerve complex that supplies the structures involved in bladder control. With over 75% of all patients responding positively, the success rate speaks for itself.
Juli-Ann Riley has a special interest in Women’s Health and can provide Pelvic Floor treatment and rehabilitation, in addition to this simple and comfortable procedure. An appointment for a confidential discussion and assessment of your problem and formulation of a treatment plan can be booked with her. Conveniently, she is available right here at Femina Health.