A new study shows that surgery beats physical therapy in stopping severe stress urinary incontinence in women. Surgery improved the condition and had a higher cure rate, says the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Stress urinary incontinence can negatively impact life and happen during everyday actions such as laughing, sneezing, or exercising. Many women suffer in silence but there is help. The first line of treatment is often pelvic floor muscle training, or Kegel exercises. However, for more severe cases, this study shows that surgery is a more successful solution to incontinence.

Muscle training for incontinence works the pelvic muscles with the goal of stronger muscles closing the urethra and holding back urine. But, these exercises were not as effective in more severe cases of stress urinary incontinence. Urethral sling surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that involves inserting a sling under the urethra to give additional support and compression to help it stay closed. It has been proven to better treat and cure stress urinary incontinence.

The Incontinence Institute offers this procedure. According to the American Urological Association, approximately 8 out of 10 women are cured of urinary incontinence after this surgery. As with all surgeries, there are potential risks. But 91% of women from the study reported subjective improvement with surgery, compared to 64% treated with pelvic floor muscle exercises and physiotherapy. Urethral sling surgery is a viable option for those who do not improve after non-surgical treatment.

If stress urinary incontinence is affecting you and you want to learn more about solutions, contact us. Or call 1-800-771-1953 to speak with one of our dedicated Medical Concierges to ask questions or set up an appointment.