New Treatments For Incontinence

Botox

Botox is especially effective in patients with an overactive bladder as it works on the bladder nerves to relax the bladder. This in turn reduces bladder contractions and the feeling of needing to go to the toilet very suddenly. The bladder wall is injected with a number of tiny injections which gently paralyse the muscles in the bladder. Additional treatments are given when this treatment wears off, usually somewhere between 6 and 12 months.

Mirabegron

A recently introduced new drug is available to treat urinary incontinence or overactive bladder. Mirabegron rather than preventing bladder contractions, relaxes the bladder muscles instead and increases bladder capacity. While Mirabegron may take up to 8 weeks to improve symptoms of incontinence, it’s as effective as anticholinergic drugs without many of the side effects.

Oxytrol Patch

The oxytrol patch is used for treating an overactive bladder in women, while this has been used for many years in tablet form, this patch was developed to release the medicine directly through the skin and has only just been verified as being available under the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) as recently as November 1, 2018. Many patients using the patch report that the side effects of this medication are less severe than when they took it in tablet form.

Mini-sling

Sometimes with severe stress incontinence there has been no other option but to carry out surgery. Until recently, the mid-urethral sling operation was performed successfully in women to reduce symptoms of bladder leakage. However a new generation of single-incision slings has been developed, shorter in length, requiring a smaller incision with less risk of damaging the bladder and causing post operative pain. A similar type surgery can also be performed on men. A small sling is inserted to support the urethra to relieve symptoms of stress incontinence.

Help And Support

There are many ways you can find help and support. The National Continence Helpline (1800 33 0066) is a free service staffed by continence nurse advisors who can offer you, a family member or your carer support and advice.

The Continence Foundation of Australia offers lots of really helpful information on continence as well. And remember, we are on hand to help you too.