Electrostimulation has proven itself to be an effective way of treating stress and (motor) urge incontinence. Electrotherapy cures around a third of patients with urge and mixed incontinence and improves the symptoms in an additional third. In patients with stress incontinence, the treatment has been found to be successful in 50 percent of cases.
Electrostimulation uses electrodes to transmit electrical impulses to the nerves in the pelvic floor, bladder and reproductive organs. The procedure is performed using a small probe inserted into the patient's vagina, enabling the impulses to reach exactly where they need to be. The electrostimulation causes the pelvic floor muscles to tighten and contract, meaning that they are exercised by the electrodes, so to speak. The stimulation strengthens the pelvic floor muscles and sphincter muscle in the bladder and improves coordination between the bladder muscle and pelvic floor muscles. In patients with an overactive bladder muscle, the procedure calms and reduces the effect of the nerves in the bladder muscle, restoring normal bladder function. The treatment should be applied daily.
If required, we can loan you a device during our biofeedback clinic. The rental costs are generally covered by your statutory health insurance. The device comes with a user guide. The method is suitable for treating stress incontinence, urge incontinence and mixed incontinence.