Is InterStim Right for You?

You may be a good candidate for Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy delivered by the InterStim systems if:

• You have significant OAB symptoms or non-obstructive urinary retention

• You’ve tried lifestyle changes and oral medications

• These therapies haven’t given you the relief you want

Symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) include:

Urge incontinence

• Going before you reach the bathroom

• Experiencing frequent leaks

• Using pads or protective garments

Urgency-frequency

• Frequent, uncontrollable urge to go

• Going more than 8 times a day

• Feeling like your bladder is never empty

Symptoms of urinary retention* include:

• Can't tell if your bladder is full

• Holding increasingly large amounts of urine

• Weak or dribbling stream

• Needing to use a catheter

Urinary retention is defined as the inability to completely or partially empty the bladder. You may be unable to start urination, or if you are able to start, you can’t fully empty your bladder.

Does This Sound Familiar?

• Difficulty starting to urinate

• Difficulty fully emptying the bladder

• Weak dribble or stream of urine

• Loss of small amounts of urine during the day

• Inability to feel when bladder is full

• Increased abdominal pressure

• Lack of urge to urinate

• Strained efforts to push urine out of the bladder

• Frequent urination

• Nocturia (waking up more than two times at night to urinate)

Why Is This Happening?

There are two general types of urinary retention: obstructive and non-obstructive. If there is an obstruction (for example, kidney stones), urine cannot flow freely through the urinary tract. Non-obstructive causes include a weak bladder muscle and nerve problems that interfere with signals between the brain and the bladder. If the nerves aren’t working properly, the brain may not get the message that the bladder is full.

Some of the most common causes of non-obstructive urinary retention are:

• Stroke

• Vaginal childbirth

• Pelvic injury or trauma

• Impaired muscle or nerve function due to medication or anesthesia

• Accidents that injure the brain or spinal cord

Obstructive retention may result from:

• Cancer

• Kidney or bladder stones

• Enlarged prostate (BPH) in men

Please note: InterStim™ is not indicated for Obstructive Retention

Treat Yourself to Less Worry

Urinary retention is a treatable condition. Don’t be afraid to speak up about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. This will help your doctor find the right treatment for you.

There are many ways to manage bladder control problems. Remember, if conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you need, you have more options.

Lifestyle Changes

Conservative treatments can help some people, but may not work very well (or at all) for others. All of these are relatively simple behavioral changes that you may already be doing.

• Diet and exercise: Changes may include decreasing your caffeine intake and getting more exercise.

• Bladder retraining: Also called biofeedback, this involves delaying going to the bathroom and sticking to a strict schedule.

• Pelvic floor strengthening: This can be accomplished through Kegel exercises, which involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Oral Medications

When lifestyle changes fail to deliver the results you want, oral medications are the next step. These medications can help control symptoms but may cause other issues.

You have to remember to take these medications every day. Some side effects can be unpleasant, such as dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, and hypertension. Other side effects are more serious. In fact, limited study data suggests that one class of drugs for OAB (anticholinergics) may increase risk of dementia in elderly people.1 Even more important, these medications don't always work. In one survey, 72% of people said they stopped taking their medication after just six months.

Advanced Therapies

If conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you want, you have more options.

Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy Delivered by The InterStim™ System

• Try it during an evaluation

• Proven long-term relief3

Implanting an InterStim™ system has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks. Complications can occur with the evaluation, including movement of the wire, technical problems with the device, and some temporary pain. Your doctor or nurse will provide you with the information regarding how to operate the test device and inform you of other precautions related to the evaluation and activity restrictions.

Learn More About Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy Delivered by the InterStim System

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

Important Safety Information