Background
Prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles weaken and the organs drop from their normal position. Some of the most common prolapse symptoms include abdominal pressure, chronic constipation, and urinary incontinence. While some prolapses can be treated with pelvic floor exercises, for more severe prolapses, surgery is necessary.
Understanding Botox Injections for Bladder Urgency
Botox injections (botulinum toxin injections) work by relaxing the bladder muscle, leading to fewer episodes of urinary urgency and leakage (urinary incontinence, stress incontinence, or urge incontinence), longer intervals between bathroom visits, and fewer nighttime awakenings to urinate.
Clinical research shows that Botox can significantly improve symptoms, with many patients experiencing a 60% reduction in urinary leakage and a 50% reduction in urinary urgency. The effects of Botox to treat overactive bladder typically last around six months.
The Procedure
Botox treatment for OAB is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia, allowing you to drive yourself to and from your appointment. The procedure involves inserting a small camera (cystoscope) through the urethra into the bladder. Botox is then injected at multiple sites within the bladder wall. The entire process takes only a few minutes.
Potential Benefits, Risks and Side Effects
Benefits
- Highly effective in reducing overactive bladder symptoms.
- Significantly improves quality of life.
- Quick procedure with minimal recovery time.
- Effects typically last for six months.
Risks and Side Effects
- Urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Difficulty emptying the bladder completely for 1–2 weeks.
- Temporary need for self-catheterization (in rare cases).
Why Choose Botulinum Toxin Injections?
Botox for overactive bladder is a highly effective, safe, and durable treatment option for those seeking relief from persistent symptoms. Interested to learn more? Check out this article about Urogynecology.
