Botox – yes, the same Botox used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles – was approved by the FDA in January 2013 as a treatment option for individuals who suffer from overactive bladder.
An estimated 17 to 53 million Americans are affected by overactive bladder. Frequent urination – the main symptom associated with overactive bladder – is defined as having to use the restroom more than eight times in 24 hours. Other symptoms may include waking up more than two times per night to urinate; urgency, or a sudden and strong desire to urinate; and urge incontinence, or accidentally wetting yourself due to not getting to a bathroom in time.
There are a variety of treatment options for patients who suffer from overactive bladder including exercises, diet and lifestyle modifications, medications, in-office procedures and the newest option: Botox injections.
Botox works by reducing bladder contractions and possibly decreasing the nerve signals that travel from the bladder to the brain, telling the brain that the bladder is full. The result is that the number of leakage episodes decreases and bladder capacity increases; thus increasing the amount of time between going to the bathroom.
Dr. Lonny Green
Dr. Lonny Green, urologist and director of Virginia Women’s Continence Center, was involved in the clinical trials that led to the FDA approval of Botox. Now, Dr. Green performs the injections in a couple of minutes at our John Rolfe Commons location. While some patients feel a slight pinch – the procedure is not considered to be painful.
In the clinical trials, most patients noted some improvement in their symptoms as soon as one to two weeks after the Botox treatment. The frequency of treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on how quickly symptoms return. Patients must wait at least three months between treatments, but most patients are re-treated between six and 18 months.
Just like any medical procedure, there are potential side effects from this treatment option. Some of the side effects that were reported during clinical trials include urinary tract infections, decreased bladder emptying (the inability to empty your bladder completely), blood in the urine, fatigue and insomnia.
Scheduling an appointment with Dr. Green is the first step in determining whether Botox is an appropriate treatment solution for your overactive bladder. If you’re interested in learning more about Botox or the other treatment options for incontinence, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Green through our secure patient portal or by calling 804.288.4084.
Additional Resources:
To learn more about the types of urinary incontinence as well as other treatment options available, visit our Web site.
To read the recent article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Botox treatment for urinary incontinence, visit their Web site.
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