Consider These Two Surgical Solutions for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Consider These Two Surgical Solutions for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, or the involuntary loss of urine, can be a difficult issue. You may find yourself unwilling to participate in activities you normally enjoy or even to socialize with friends and family. Stress incontinence is when you lose urine when you cough, sneeze, lift something heavy, or otherwise put stress on your bladder. 

Dr. Paul Chung, a leading expert in men’s health, has helped many men who developed urinary incontinence as a result of a prostate issue, age, or other reasons. He has found two surgical interventions to be particularly helpful to patients with urinary incontinence. 

Urethral sling

Your urinary tract is a relatively simple bodily system. Your bladder holds urine until you release it. The bladder is sealed by a sphincter, which loosens when you urinate. The urine flows through your urethra and exits your body. 

A urethral sling works like a hammock to support your urethra, which lessens the tension on the area where your urethra and bladder connect. In mild to moderate cases of stress urinary incontinence, the sling is enough to prevent involuntary urine loss. 

The surgery to place the sling is minimally invasive, and usually only takes about an hour. In most cases it’s done on an outpatient basis, which means you don’t need to stay in the hospital. 

Artificial urinary sphincter

If the muscle that seals your bladder is damaged, weak, or doesn’t work properly for some other reason, the result can be stress urinary incontinence. Implanting an artificial sphincter can be a good solution. 

There are three parts to an artificial urinary sphincter: a cuff that closes your urethra, a pump in your scrotum, and a pressure regulating balloon that is implanted in your abdomen. The cuff is filled with fluid. 

When you want to urinate, you gently squeeze the pump, which releases the fluid from the cuff to the balloon. The cuff closes automatically, usually in one to two minutes. 

If you have more severe stress urinary incontinence an artificial urinary sphincter is considered the gold standard treatment. It offers the best chance of stopping the leakage. 

Imagine your life without incontinence

If you experience stress urinary incontinence, take a moment to consider what your life would be like if you didn’t. Would you be more active? Enjoy more social engagements? Feel more comfortable in general? 

All of those things are possible with the appropriate treatment. If you involuntarily lose urine, regardless of the cause, schedule your appointment with Dr. Chung today and find out what your treatment options are. 

You Might Also Enjoy...

Am I a Good Candidate for a Penile Implant?

Am I a Good Candidate for a Penile Implant?

Have you wondered if a penile implant could be the right solution for your erectile dysfunction? In this post we describe the two types of penile implants, as well as when implants are likely to be the best solution.
6 Potential Causes of Urethral Strictures

6 Potential Causes of Urethral Strictures

A urethral stricture can cause serious issues, both for your quality of life and your health. In this post we discuss the six most common causes of urethral strictures as well as some of the most successful treatment approaches.
What to Expect After Buried Penis Surgery

What to Expect After Buried Penis Surgery

Buried penis is a condition that can have a profound effect on your life, for both physical and psychological reasons. Surgery is an effective treatment, but you may be worried about what to expect during recovery. Here’s what you need to know.