Olathe Obstetrics and Gynecology, P.A.

[TVT Bladder PinUp] [Urodynamics]

Involuntary loss of urine affects one out of every four women. Important considerations for the patient with involuntary urine loss include the severity of the condition and how it affects one's life style. Is it necessary to wear a pad every day? Do you dread leaving home unless you know the location of bathrooms in every place you will be visiting?
Urge incontinence, or overactive bladder, describes urinary leakage associated with a sudden urge to urinate throughout the day. Causes include infection, certain medications, nerve damage, alcohol, or bladder irritants such as caffeine or acidic food or beverage. Evaluation may require use of a voiding diary and/or urodynamic testing. Treatments include bladder training and medication.

Stress incontinence refers to the sudden loss of urine with coughing, laughing, or sneezing. Urine loss is also common with bouncing activities such as aerobic exercise and jogging. Some patients with stress incontinence have leakage of urine during intercourse. Treatments for stress incontinence include Kegel exercises, biofeed back and weighted vaginal cones. Some patients will require surgery such as the new Tension Free Vaginal Tape procedure.

Olathe OBGYN offers complete evaluation for urinary incontinence including physician evaluation and urodynamic testing when appropriate.

The tension free vaginal tape (TVT) is a minor surgical treatment for urinary leakage with coughing, sneezing, exercise, and lifting (stress). This is an outpatient procedure, being able to leave the Day Surgery area within one to two hours after surgery. It is very effective at stopping leakage with stress. In the past, sutures were used to lift the bladder to the pubic bone. However, sutures could break or pull out of the tissue. The TVT is a one-half inch wide tape that will not break, and is not sutured in place. It has hundreds of holes, like gauze, that the body latches onto and strongly holds the tape in place from the beginning. Older bladder pinups were more likely to weaken over time.
Every activity in life carries risks including TVT. The risk of infection is low, but antibiotics are used for your protection. The risk of transfusion or injury to the pelvic organs such as the bladder, bowel, blood vessels, or nerves is roughly 1 out of 1,000. The TVT is a remarkable improvement over older, large incisions and restores control to your life and the ability to exercise and not be embarrassed anymore. Treatment for stress urinary incontinence is medically appropriate and covered by the usual insurance. The Olathe OB/GYN staff is available to help with insurance processing or questions.

Urodynamics is done in the office to study how the bladder functions and is a diagnostic tool for TVT improvement. Other leakage such as an overactive bladder, may need medication and my actually worsen with surgery. Overactive leakage presents as frequent voiding and inability to make it to the bathroom with large volumes of leakage. The overactive bladder is actually the bladder contracting and is quite different from stress urinary incontinence. Be sure to discuss your symptoms and questions with the doctor.