If you suffer from urinary incontinence, you understand the impact it can have on a woman’s life. Many women are unable to play sport, run, jump, sneeze or cough without the embarrassment of being incontinent. Others find that a sudden urgent need to use the toilet affects daily activities and undermines their confidence. It’s a problem that is not only limited to post-menopausal women or those who have had babies; it can affect women of all ages and life situations.
Dr Ljiljana understands the impact incontinence has on women’s lives and is committed to providing the best health care possible. She was the first gynaecologist in Newcastle to offer MonaLisa Touch, a treatment which is effective in treating urinary incontinence.
What Is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is when urine leaks involuntarily from the bladder. The urinary sphincter should enable control over urination, but when it is weak or damaged, the flow of urine is uncontrolled.
Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence
The symptoms of urinary incontinence include:
- An urgent need to urinate, followed by involuntary urination
- Small amounts of urine leakage
- Bladder may completely empty involuntarily
- Urine leakage from exertion such as running, jumping, sneezing, coughing or lifting heavy objects
- A frequent or constant dribbling of urine from the bladder not emptying completely
Types of Urinary Incontinence
There are two main types of urinary incontinence that affect women. They are:
- Stress incontinence
This type of incontinence means that you can’t run, jump, sneeze or cough without urine leakage. The stress of movement or pressure on the bladder causes urine to leak past the urinary sphincter. - Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence is when you experience an intense and sudden urge to empty your bladder, even if you went to the toilet a short time ago. Urge incontinence is caused by an overactive bladder muscle that pushes urine out of the bladder.
Sometimes women suffer from more than one type of urinary incontinence at the same time
What Causes Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence affects women more than men. Its causes include:
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes in pregnancy as well as added pressure from the uterus can cause stress incontinence.
Childbirth
A vaginal delivery can cause damage to pelvic nerves and muscles, resulting in an overactive bladder and stress incontinence.
Menopause
Menopause can cause the pelvic floor muscles to weaken and the bladder to lose its elasticity, leading to a more frequent or more urgent need to urinate.
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness can also affect the urethra, the outlet for the bladder. This raises the risk of infections and affects the frequency of urination.
Surgery
Some women who have a hysterectomy or prolapse repair find that they suffer from incontinence afterwards.
Other Health Conditions
Some chronic health conditions such as diabetes raise the risk of incontinence. Other conditions include Parkinson’s disease, urinary stones, multiple sclerosis, brain tumours, stroke and spinal injury.
How Can the MonaLisa Touch Treatment Help Urinary Incontinence?
The MonaLisa Touch treatment is effective in treating urinary incontinence. It stimulates blood flow to the affected areas, bringing healing and rejuvenation to the pelvic floor muscles, vaginal walls and urethra. Increased blood flow and better tissue tone reduces pain and leads to better urinary function. Many women report an immediate improvement in their symptoms.
How Does the MonaLisa Touch Treatment Work?
MonaLisa Touch is a non-surgical fractional laser system. A laser beam is split into microscopic dots and aimed at the area to be treated. A computer controls the length of time the laser beam is in contact with the treatment area, with each pulse being less than a tenth of a second.
When the laser beam meets the tissue of the treatment area, it removes a tiny piece around the size of the tip of a pin. This stimulates the body’s healing response at the laser site and surrounding cells. Healthy new cells replace the old ones as the body repairs the damage. The laser also heats the tissue between the dots, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, which are important components of healthy cells.
Benefits of Mona Lisa Touch
- Painless 10 minute procedure
- Low risk with few or no side effects
- Suitable for almost everyone
- Better control over urinary function
- Less frequent need to urinate, especially at night
- Fewer feelings of urgency to urinate
- Less frequent urinary tract infections
- Toned and lubricated vagina, leading to less pain
- More enjoyment of sex and increased libido
- Less need to use Hormone Replacement Therapy creams during menopause
Possible Side Effects
The MonaLisa Touch treatment is painless and side effects are rare, but could include:
- Vaginal irritation or itching
- Slight bleeding
- Slight swelling
- Redness
- Mild discomfort
These side effects are temporary and usually resolve within a few days.
Book Your Appointment
If you would like to know more about MonaLisa Touch and how it might help you, please contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.