According to a 2015 study for the National Association for Continence (NAFC), forty-four percent of women are embarrassed to talk about their bladder control problems. Yet bladder control problems are common in our society, affecting 37 million Americans or 1 out of 6 adults. We recognize this and have made it one of our goals to get the word out about urinary incontinence treatments.
Patients often say, “I guess this is normal because I am getting older.” The truth is overactive bladder (OAB) affects people of all ages. Although it is not uncommon to have OAB, it is not a condition anyone should suffer without treatment.
We have all sorts of treatment for OAB, including dietary changes (avoiding caffeinated beverages), pelvic floor exercises, and medications. We also have advanced therapies like intravesical botox injections and a bladder “pacemaker” called Interstim.
If you have OAB, I encourage you to visit my website (https://www.akronurogynecology.com/medtronic-interstim-sacral- neuromodulation/) and check out a recent Webinar I hosted on OAB.
In this webinar, our focus is on Interstim therapy. I started doing this procedure over 15 years ago and have seen the technology improve over that time. I perform this procedure a couple of times per week and see about an 84% success rate. The good news is that the procedure is low-risk; the pacemaker lasts anywhere from 5-15 years, depending on the type of battery you choose, and is MRI compatible. You can also check out more info on our Facebook page (@neourogynecology) and Instagram (marysouthmd).
If you are experiencing urogynecology symptoms or have questions, know I will be understanding and will listen to your concerns. Please contact me at 234.205.2040 to schedule your appointment.
About Dr. Mary South, MD
Mary South is a native of Northeastern Ohio. After growing up in Wooster, Ohio she graduated from the College of Wooster and earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She and her husband then moved to North Carolina where she completed a four-year residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and then a three-year fellowship in Urogynecology at Duke University Hospital.
