You Can Take Back Your Bladder Control aka ‘Stop Peeing Your Panties’
It is true that for many of us women we spend a lot of energy making sure we always have an opportunity to “retreat to the potty” because all too often laughing with friends or coughing from a cold can cause … “a leak.” The little leaks and frequent bathroom breaks can really get in the way. The good news is you can take back control and fix those leaks for good.
Urinary incontinence, what is it?
Women typically experience one of two types of urinary incontinence: stress incontinence or urge incontinence. These represent an involuntary loss of bladder control. Stress incontinence is bladder leakage due to pressure on a weak urethra forcing urine out. This can happen when laughing, coughing, or exercising. An over-active bladder is urge incontinence. This is when you feel sudden strong urges to go to the restroom, however you either can’t go or only go a little bit.
According to the Office on Women’s Health,“Incontinence affects twice as many women as men. This may be because pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause may make urinary incontinence more likely. Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging, and it can be treated.”
So, what are the causes of urinary incontinence?
This persistent condition is caused by underlying physical problems or changes. A common cause is childbirth. After the delivery of a child a woman can experience weakened muscles needed for bladder control as well as damage to the bladder nerves and supportive tissue. In its article on urinary incontinence, The Mayo Clinic describes how this and other situations like age, menopause, and pregnancy are causes of urinary incontinence. All of these contribute to the weakening of the urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles. These are the muscles that control urination.
What can I do to take back control?
There are medications available to help treat the issue. Many women have seen improvement to their bladder leakage through pelvic floor exercise and bladder training. According to Medical News Today, Kegel exercises—also known as pelvic floor exercises—can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and urinary sphincter. For more information on Kegel exercises and how to locate your pelvic floor muscles, visit Healthline.com. There are also medical devices designed for females to improve this condition. The following medical devices are designed for females:
- Urethral inserts: A woman inserts the device before activity and takes it out when she wants to urinate.
- Pessary: A rigid ring inserted into the vagina and worn all day. It helps hold the bladder up and prevent leakage.
- Radiofrequency therapy: Tissue in the lower urinary tract is heated. When it heals, it is usually firmer, often resulting in better urinary control.
- Botox (botulinum toxin type A): Injected into the bladder muscle, this can help those with an overactive bladder.
- Bulking agents: Injected into tissue around the urethra, this help keep the urethra closed.
- Sacral nerve stimulator: This is implanted under the skin of the buttocks. A wire connects it to a nerve that runs from the spinal cord to the bladder. The wire emits an electrical pulse that stimulates the nerve, helping bladder control.
The Viveve – O solution , Stop Peeing Your Panties at Bobbi Bullock Medical Esthetics
This treatment for urinary incontinence is a combination of three things. The first is The Viveve Treatment. This is delivered via the patented, cryogen-cooled monopolar radiofrequency (CMRF) device that rebuilds natural collagen. CMRF technology allows for depth of penetration while maintaining patient comfort and safety. This a single session treatment that works via a small probe which emits cryogen-cooling to protect the tissue as the radiofrequency waves heat the tissue to stimulate the production of new collagen to reinvigorate the tissue. This treatment also has some bonus effects of improved female sexual function.
Second is the O-Shot. This is injections of platelets from the patient’s own blood, which contain healing proteins called growth factors. This is a type of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for your vagina. PRP is used to create new blood vessels, collagen, and nerves in the area of injection. The final part of this treatment is the ApexM. This FDA-cleared device is given to the patient to take home and to use as an ongoing therapy. The ApexM strengthens the pelvic floor muscles and calms the detrusor muscles via electrostimulation.
This combination has proven results. Your body can build pelvic floor and urinary sphincter strength giving you control back. Allowing you to get back to laughing, jumping, and adventuring without the fear of urine leaking.