Can BOTOX be used for urinary incontinence?
BOTOX is commonly known as a cosmetic treatment, but it can also be used to treat urinary incontinence and severe urinary frequency and urgency. BOTOX is a prescription medicine that is injected into the bladder muscle to stop involuntary urine flow and intense or painful urges to urinate. The treatment can be performed at our practice in Austin, Texas, and does not require a hospital visit.
How does bladder BOTOX work?
BOTOX is a neurotransmitter that blocks signals between the nerves and muscles, allowing the muscles to relax. When injected into the bladder muscle, BOTOX will prevent it from being overactive/contracting. By reducing bladder contractions, BOTOX can:
- Increase your bladder capacity
- Reduce urinary leakage episodes
- Decrease frequency of voids in the day or night
- Decrease the pressure in your bladder
What can I expect during treatments?
When you visit Central Texas Urogynecology & Continence Center for your appointment, we will run a test to ensure that you do not have a urinary tract infection (UTI). We will then proceed with the treatment by numbing your bladder with lidocaine solution for approximately 20 minutes so you won’t experience any pain or discomfort. A few small injections are then made with the use of a cystoscope in the bladder wall, where the bladder muscle is located.
The entire injection portion of the procedure takes less than 5 minutes. After that, we will ask you to stay in our office for roughly 15 minutes for monitoring. You will then be given antibiotics, which you’ll take for 1-3 days after your treatment.
What should I expect from the results?
Optimal results are usually seen after two weeks, and because BOTOX wears off, it will need to be repeated to maintain the benefits. While the length of results varies from patient to patient, we find the vast majority of patients only require one injection per year.
The risks of this procedure include the development of a urinary tract infection or temporary urinary retention.
Request a consultation at Central Texas Urogynecology & Continence Center
If you suffer from urinary incontinence, request a bladder BOTOX consultation at Central Texas Urogynecology & Continence Center. From our practice in Austin, we will determine if BOTOX is the best solution for your incontinence. To get started, give us a call at 512-716-0861 or request an appointment online.
