It’s estimated that roughly 25% to 33% of the general U.S. adult population suffers from urinary incontinence, according to the Urology Care Foundation (UCF). While advancements in modern medicine have led to some effective treatment options, a new study has shed light on a somewhat surprising treatment for incontinence: Botox injections.
Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, which is often used to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. However, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its use for other conditions, some of which include chronic migraines, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, and even incontinence. In a new study published in the journal JAMA, researchers scrutinized the effective of Botox injections for incontinence, comparing it to Interstim.
For the study, researchers from the Duke University School of Medicine recruited 381 women, all of whom were suffering from urinary incontinence and were not experiencing positive results from traditional treatment (e.g. dietary changes, medication, etc.). Participants were then assigned to one of two groups: one group received Botox injections, while the second group received the Interstim implant. Participants in both groups were asked to keep a daily journal of their incontinence episodes.
So, what did researchers find? They discovered that both Botox and Interstim offered similar results. Participants who received Botox injections lowered their total incontinence episodes by roughly 3.9, while participants in the Interstim group lowered their episodes by an average of 3.3. Furthermore, however, participants who received Botox injections reported a higher level of overall satisfaction than participants who received Interstim.
“The take home point is that both treatments are good treatments,” said Dr. Cindy L. Amundsen of Duke University School of Medicine, one of the study’s lead researchers and authors. “Both therapies are effective at relaxing the overactive bladder muscle, but they do so by different mechanisms.” Though Botox appeared to work ever so slightly better than the implant, it was also associated with a higher risk for urinary tract infections.”
Incontinence is more than just an “embarrassing” issue for millions of men and women; it causes a lower quality of life. But studies such as this attest to the power of Botox injections. Of course, there are other steps that individuals can take to curb the negative effects of incontinence, such as cutting back on caffeine, eating a well-balanced diet, and not lifting heavy objects. Talk with Dr. Sherbert to learn more about Botox and whether or nor it’s right for you.
