Bedford Regional Urology

1 in 6 people experience bladder control problems.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Are you suffering from frequent urination, leaking urine or stool, or incomplete emptying of your bladder?

Do you feel like you’ve tried everything to correct the problem?

Don’t give up. You have another choice.

Balanced Vs. Unbalanced Nerve Signals

Bladder function is a delicate balance between the nerves and muscles. The nerves tell the bladder and muscles involved when to relax and when to contract. When these signals are balanced, the bladder and brain communicate well. The nerves and muscles involved cause the bladder to empty when it is full.

When the signal is NOT balanced, there is incorrect communication between the bladder and brain. This miscommunication can result in “pelvic floor dysfunction” which can cause any of the following symptoms:

  • 1. Frequent urination
  • 2. Leakage of urine, with a strong urge
  • 3. Inability to empty the bladder completely
  • 4. Leakage of stool

If you are experiencing these symptoms, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

In fact, 1 in 6 adults suffer from some form of overactive bladder.

Moreover, 1 in 12 adults suffer from fecal incontinence.

A Word About Kegel Exercises and Medications

Conservative therapies such as Kegel exercises and medications are designed to target the muscular behavior of the bladder. Unfortunately, these methods don’t have a high success rate. Additionally, the medications have side effects that cause many people to quit taking them.

Why Peripheral Nerve Evaluation?

Peripheral Nerve Evaluation (PNA) is a way for us to diagnose your bladder symptoms as a nerve problem and not a muscle problem.

Very often, bladder dysfunction is the result of overactive or incorrect nerve signaling. PNE is a diagnostic test that is much different from other tests we perform because it can actually improve your symptoms. In fact, you will know if your test is successful within 24-48 hours.

How Is PNE Performed?

The test is performed in the office. The PNE consists of placing two small thin leads (thin wires) in the upper part of your buttock. The lead attaches to a small external device worn discreetly under your clothes. You can start, stop, and adjust the therapy with an easy-to-use controller and track your symptoms to see if they improve.

If the evaluation is successful, patients will notice improvements in their bladder symptoms. This improvement is usually dramatic.

In fact, 82% of patients have at least a 50% reduction in symptoms!

After about 3 days of testing, the tiny leads are removed in the office. The evaluation is completely reversible and safe.

Interstim Therapy

If you experience an improvement in your bladder symptoms, your doctor will talk to you about maintaining that benefit long-term with Interstim Therapy. For more information, please visit Medtronic’s website.

If you have an inconclusive evaluation, a more accurate test can be performed in a hospital or surgery center.

Bladder Voiding Diary

Please keep a Voiding Dairy for 3 days prior to your PNE test as a reference to measure symptomatic relief.