The Most Common Type of Incontinence Experienced by Women


Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in females is also known as effort incontinence. It is the loss of small amounts of urine associated with coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising or other movements including heavy lifting that increase intra-abdominal pressure and thus increased pressure on the bladder.
 Stress urinary incontinence is fundamentally caused by insufficient strength of the pelvic floor muscles. The urethra (tube connected to the bladder that carries urine out of the body) is supported by fascia (connective tissue) of the pelvic floor. If this support is inadequate, the urethra can move downward at times of increased abdominal pressure, allowing urine to pass involuntarily (similar to a weakened valve).

 Some common reasons for weakening pelvic floor muscles are vaginal childbirth delivery, menopause, obesity and smoking. Below is a simple anatomic illustration of stress incontinence:

Bladder Leakage Due to Stress Urinary Incontinence
In the U.S. alone, there are over 15 million women that suffer from SUI. Although SUI is a very common problem in females, it is NOT considered a natural part of aging. This is a condition that should be treated in order to maintain a high quality of life. If left untreated, urinary incontinence can lead to skin irritations and infections as well as repeat urinary tract infections (UTI).

 Interestingly, 90% of women suffering from SUI do NOT seek treatment due to embarrassment or erroneously believing that it is a life management issue with no effective therapy.

 There are currently no medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of SUI. Fortunately, there are available options specifically for women with SUI. Listed below from least invasive to most invasive are treatment options for stress urinary incontinence:
- Diapers, pads, Kegel exercises, behavioral modification
- Pessaries and plugs
- Renessa treatment
- Bulking Agents
- Surgical procedure (bladder neck suspensions/’slings’)
The Non-Surgical Incontinence Solution


A non-surgical treatment is now available for women who experience SUI. The Renessa treatment uses a small device which your physician passes through your urethra. The Renessa treatment involves the controlled heating of microscopic tissue sites at the base of your bladder, after which the device is immediately removed.
‚Ä®‚Ä®The treatment can be performed in the comfort of your physician’s office or in the outpatient center. There are no catheters, bandages or dressings to change.
The Renessa treatment requires only about a 45 minute to an hour office visit, after which you can safely resume virtually all activities the same or next day. Your recovery is rapid and comfortable, with minimal limitations. The full effect of the treatment is typically seen within 60-90 days.
Clinical studies have shown that three quarters of women see a significant improvement in symptoms; 70% reduce their leakage by at least half; nearly 60% were able to completely eliminate their use of pads.
The Renessa Procedure is covered by Medicare in most states and some other health insurance companies. Please contact Novasys Medical toll free at 1-866-784-4777 to learn more about which insurers in your area have adopted positive coverage policies for the Renessa procedure.
Adverse events (complications) are typically mild and temporary and most resolve shortly after treatment. Reported complications include dysuria (discomfort during urination), hematuria (blood-tinged urine), urinary tract infection, and urine retention (inability to empty the bladder). Infrequently, worsening incontinence symptoms have been reported.
Step 1: After first numbing the area, the doctor inserts the treatment device into the bladder.
Step 2: A small balloon at the tip of the device is inflated to help position it.
Step 3: Low temperature heat is gently applied to the anesthetized tissues at the base of the bladder.
Result: Over time, the heat causes the natural collagen in your own tissue to become firmer, increasing the bladder’s ability to resist leaks.