About Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common concern for many women as they age or experience drops in estrogen levels due to menopause. It is also a significant problem in women who have had children via vaginal births. As the laxity of the vaginal walls increases, most often due to the reasons mentioned above, there is a greater risk of leakage of urine. Known as stress urinary incontinence, some urine can escape any time the bladder is stressed, for example, when you cough, contract your abdomen, sneeze, or laugh. This can be an embarrassing problem that many women are unwilling to address, even with their trusted doctors. However, know that you are not alone, and Dr. Taghechian has treated hundreds of patients in the same position.
Does Vaginal Rejuvenation Work for Urinary Incontinence?
You may find varying cure rates of urinary incontinence using vaginal rejuvenation techniques. To be sure, not all cases of stress urinary incontinence can be fully addressed by vaginal rejuvenation. However, most well-selected patients will see some improvement. From our experience, approximately 60 to 90% of patients experience a resolution of their urinary incontinence, with many more seeing significant improvement. Qualified patients can typically eliminate security pads they may use against leakage. Remember, Dr. Taghechian is a highly trained urologic surgeon with deep knowledge and experience with female urinary issues. Her dual expertise is perfectly suited for this purpose.
Radiofrequency Versus Laser Treatment
Dr. Taghechian has chosen the radio frequency route for her vaginal rejuvenations, and you may be wondering why. The answer is quite simple, while radio frequency and laser both heat tissue to improve collagen and elastin production, RF therapy penetrates more deeply into the vaginal tissue. Laser, on the other hand, is a superficial option. Both will offer some tightening by stimulating musculature. However, we have seen that RF offers superior and longer-lasting results.
More Severe Urinary Incontinence
There are numerous forms of urinary incontinence and various levels of severity. Vaginal rejuvenation can be well suited to patients that suffer from mild to moderate urinary incontinence, where they are leaking between a teaspoon and a tablespoon of urine. Dr. Taghechian will evaluate more severe cases of urinary incontinence, which may require different interventions.
What to Expect
Vaginal rejuvenation is a straightforward procedure that requires no cutting or surgery of any kind. Using modern, proven technology, we can offer a significant benefit with minimal downtime. Each visit takes about two hours, including initial prep, and you can return home on the same day. Depending on the procedure selected, you may have some limitations in the first several days. However, you will return to your regular daily (and sexual) activities soon thereafter.
Dr. Taghechian will discuss the three options for treatment and develop a plan that best serves your needs.
- VTone is an electrical muscle stimulator that triggers involuntary muscle contractions and strengthens the pelvic floors, bulking up the muscle fibers and tightening the vagina.
- Morpheus 8V combines RF ablation with micro-needling to further stimulate collagen and elastin production through mechanical micro punctures and heat penetrating deep into the tissue layers. Morpheus 8V FAQs
- Forma V is a radio frequency-only therapy that helps improve vaginal lubrication as well as tightness of the vaginal tissues.
Next Steps
We know that the conversation about female intimate issues and urinary incontinence can feel awkward, but Dr. Taghechian is dedicated to addressing the sexual and urinary health of women who have otherwise been dismissed or ignored. Scheduling consultation is the best next step to understand your treatment options. We look forward to seeing you in the office or by telehealth appointment to discuss these options further.