Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence With FemTouch
Millions of women experience a variety of problems stemming from pre-pregnancy, post-delivery and menopause. Each of these normal stages of life can take a toll on our bodies, particularly the vaginal area. One of the most common issues that affect women is stress urinary incontinence, sometimes referred to as “SUI”.
What is Stress Urinary Incontinence?
According to the Mayo Clinic, SUI is the unintentional loss of urine that typically coincides with physical movement or activity such as coughing, sneezing, running or heavy lifting. These activities put pressure (stress) on your bladder which can cause it to leak.
An estimated 15 million adult women in the United States suffer from some degree of stress urinary incontinence. This roughly equates to 24% of women between the ages of 18 and 44 and 23% of women over the age of 60.
Stress urinary incontinence can be very embarrassing, to the point where quality of life for many sufferers is negatively affected. SUI can limit both physical and leisure activity and cause some women to socially isolate themselves.
What Causes SUI?
While pregnancy and childbirth is the leading cause of SUI, there are other contributing factors which can include:
- loss of pelvic muscle tone
- hysterectomy
- nerve and muscle damage from birthing or surgical trauma
- obesity
- menopause
- chronic coughing due to smoking and lung disease
- anatomical predisposition
- repeated heavy lifting or high impact sports
Do I have SUI?
Unfortunately, most women who suffer from some form of stress urinary incontinence often fail to properly address it. In a survey, the National Association for Incontinence found that women wait an average of 6.5 years from the time they first experience the symptoms to be properly diagnosed and receive treatment.
The key symptom of stress urinary incontinence is unwanted urine leakage of any amount, from a few drops to a tablespoon or more. Mild SUI sufferers typically experience leaks during forceful physical activities while moderate to severe SUI results in leaks from normal activity like standing or walking.
Important Questions About SUI
If your answer to any of the following questions is “yes” we recommend seeking treatment as there are many ways to manage SUI:
- Have you stopped exercising due to fear of a leakage?
- Do you feel uncomfortable about your body?
- Do you avoid sexual intercourse because you are worried you may leak?
- Do you often carry a change of clothes around?
- Are you afraid to leave the house and/or be too far from a bathroom?
- Have you changed the way you live because you’re afraid of potential urine leakage?
Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence
FemTouch is a non-ablative CO2 laser that is used to treat SUI. The applicator of the FemTouch laser is inserted into the vaginal canal and creates microscopic holes into the vaginal lining. This triggers the natural healing process to occur where the old tissue is replaced by new healthy tissue, healing from the inside out. This new tissue provides a lining underneath the bladder so that the wall becomes thicker and more vascular. This will give the bladder the support it needs so that the bladder won’t leak. It also will tighten the tissue around the urethra and increase vascularity in that area to re-enforce the bladder not to leak while engaging in physical activity such as coughing, sneezing, running, jumping and heavy lifting.
In addition to addressing stress urinary incontinence, FemTouch helps with other issues relating to vaginal health including vaginal atrophy and urinary tract infections.
Kelly Wala is a Registered Nurse with a Baccalaureate Degree of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University. As an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist for the past 10 years Kelly specialized in a full complement of non-surgical aesthetic services such as facial injectables, laser and light therapy, body contouring, and skin care. Kelly was the first in Texas to perform the Injectable Threadlift. Kelly is a Faculty trainer for Allergan Facial Aesthetics and Coolsculpting as well as a Faculty trainer for Galderma Facial Aesthetics and Sculptra. Aesthetics
How much does the FemTouch cost?
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reading our post and submitting your great question! Currently we are offering a package of 3 Femtouch treatments for $2,700. If you are interested in learning more about Femtouch or setting up a consultation please give us a call at 512-328-3376.
Thanks again!
WD Staff