By Aesthetica Med Spa
It may be one of those embarrassing issues that we don’t want to talk about or even admit to, but urinary incontinence is believed to effect somewhere between 25 to 45% of women in the US. Despite being so common, bladder weakness is definitely a taboo issue and many women suffer in silence or simply mark it down as an unavoidable aspect of having children or getting older. If you’re putting up with leaks when you laugh or cough, or you struggle with having use the bathroom frequently and urgently, you may be pleased to know that there is a solution. Not only that, but it’s without surgery, without pain, and incredibly effective.

Why Urinary Incontinence Occurs

The biggest cause or urinary incontinence is having children. Whilst carrying a baby, the pelvic muscles are put under extreme pressure and during childbirth these muscles as well as vaginal tissues are forced to significantly stretch. This results in loose tissues and muscles throughout the pelvic area. Although tissues may recover to a certain extent, it’s not uncommon for the effects of pregnancy and labor to be permanent. In particular, the muscles which control bladder function become weak, which can make it difficult to control urine flow. This leads to leaks when coughing, laughing, sneezing or doing exercise, and it can also make it more difficult to hold on when the urge to urinate occurs. Urinary incontinence can also occur in women who haven’t had children, particularly when they go through menopause. During this time, we tend to lose muscle tone and tissues begin to thin all over the body, including the pelvic region. The result is loose tissues and muscles in the vaginal area which can lead to bladder weakness.

ThermiVa for Incontinence and Bladder Weakness

ThermiVa is an innovative, nonsurgical procedure which works to rejuvenate the vaginal tissues over the course of three or more sessions. It uses radio-frequency (RF) energy to apply controlled, gentle heat to the vaginal tissues in order to shrink loose tissues, tighten up muscles and improve nerve function in the area. It can dramatically improve urinary incontinence and gives patients much greater control over their bladder. The RF energy is applied via a slim, curved wand which is no bigger in diameter than an index finger and specifically designed to allow RF energy to be carefully applied throughout the vaginal canal. It is completely painless and causes no discomfort whatsoever – patients only feel a gentle warmth. The results aren’t instantaneous – they occur gradually as the effects of the RF energy take place. Usually, patients undergo three 30-minute ThermiVa treatment sessions, each one a month apart, in order to rectify their bladder issues. For those with more severe incontinence, a few extra sessions may be necessary. The results of the initial ThermiVa treatments last between 9 and 12 months before top up sessions are required to maintain results.

Better Than Surgery?

Surgery can be an option for people with urinary incontinence, but it is quite an extreme, invasive measure to take. Surgery usually takes place under a general anesthetic and it can take weeks or even months until the body is fully healed. For many women, the downtime involved with surgery is the most off-putting aspect, particularly if they have young children. Since ThermiVa requires no downtime whatsoever and involves just a series of 30-minute treatment sessions, it is an incredibly appealing alternative. In terms of efficacy, ThermiVa can be just as effective as surgery in alleviate bladder weakness, but its results are gradual rather than immediate and top-up sessions are necessary. Surgery for urinary incontinence may offer more immediate, long-lasting results, but there is no guarantee that one surgery is enough – some women find themselves having to undergo repeat procedures several years down the line. With ThermiVa it is necessary to have top up sessions every 9 to 12 months, but since these are fast, free from pain and with without any downtime, it is a far more convenient and less invasive alternative to surgery. Could ThermiVa be the solution to incontinence that you’ve been looking for? Why not book a consultation with one of our expert clinicians to find out how it could help you regain control and confidence.