The Role of Laser Technology in Urinary Incontinence

The Role of Laser Technology in Urinary Incontinence

I would like to inform you a little about Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), which is closely related to many women. It is actually very difficult to determine the true prevalence of this problem, which causes both social and hygienic problems. The reasons for this are that our patients are afraid, embarrassed, perceive urinary incontinence as a natural consequence of old age, and are prejudiced that medical treatment does not give good results in urinary incontinence.

In the problem of urinary incontinence, the weakening of the collagen structure in the vagina around the urinary canal is held responsible. In this case, urinary incontinence is seen with the increase of intra-abdominal pressure in situations such as coughing, laughing and sneezing, which we call 'Stress Urinary Incontinence' (SUI). The most important factor is genetically poor connective tissue. In addition, births, advancing age, excess weight, menopause, smoking addiction and some hormonal deficiencies are also reasons that accelerate connective tissue weakness.

Urinary Incontinence Treatment Izmir
The alternatives that we have encountered in the treatment so far were urinary tract strengthening exercises, which we call the first kegel exercise, the second medical treatment and the third surgical treatment. However, with the advancement of technology, there have been some developments in this field as well. Fractional CO2 laser therapy has also achieved remarkable success in urinary incontinence and vaginal rejuvenation.

Fractional CO2 lasers that we use in SUI are effective on both the upper and lower layers of the skin. In fractional laser systems, laser light is sent to the skin in microscopic columns. The main target in these areas is water, that is, water-containing structures such as collagen, blood vessels, keratinocytes are damaged in a controlled manner. Living cells in the intact areas right next to the thermally damaged area migrate to the damaged area and stimulate the repair mechanism there. Thus, tissue is renewed in the areas where these tiny columns are sent. It increases the thickness of the vaginal wall by treating the entire pre-urethral (urinary canal neck and surrounding) area in urinary incontinence. This provides better support from the lower part of the middle urethra. As a result, SUI symptoms can be significantly reduced, resulting in better control of urination and long-term urinary incontinence.

Vaginal laser treatment should not be performed in the presence of cancer or precancerous cells in the cervix / vagina tissue. For this reason, it is important that the results of the PAP smear test in the last 1 year of the patients who will undergo laser treatment are normal. It should not be done in patients with active HSV (genital herpes) problem.

It is also not suitable to be done during pregnancy. It is recommended that at least 3 months pass after birth for it to be done.

Laser Incontinence Treatment
One of the leading benefits of Izmir Laser treatment is that it is completed in a very short time and does not affect your daily routine. Advantages such as the short duration of the procedure, the absence of a surgical incision or suturing, being extremely easy to tolerate for the patients, not requiring anesthesia, being very successful in mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence, and providing vaginal tightness throughout the length in the same session. It has aspects. One of the most important advantages of the procedure is that the patient can continue his or her daily life on the same day.

The treatment is carried out by gently applying the specially designed head similar to the transvaginal ultrasound probe to the vagina. All vaginal walls are scanned in a procedure that takes about 20 minutes.

 The procedure called 'lunch time' (lunch break) is extremely painless and painless. In patients with a very low pain threshold, the procedure can be facilitated by applying mild local anesthetic creams into the vagina.

Applications for vaginal tightening and urinary incontinence problems with izmir laser should be done 2 or 3 times at intervals of 4-6 weeks. A single 'touch up' is also recommended after one year. Depending on the decrease in collagen connective tissue, all processes can be repeated every 2-3 years.

No major complications were reported. Vaginal lasers are very promising in the right patient groups