What is sacral nerve stimulation?
Nerve stimulation is a reversible treatment for patients with bladder control problems in whom conservative treatments have not worked or have not been tolerated. Conservative treatments include behavioral therapies (diet modifications, biofeedback, bladder retraining, pelvic muscle exercises) and medications. Sacral nerve stimulation involves electrical stimulation of the nerves that control the bladder. Nerve stimulation can address symptoms of overactive bladder including: 1) urinary urgency: inability to postpone the need to urinate 2) frequency of urination: the need to urinate at least eight times per day 3) urge incontinence: leakage of urine when one gets the urge to urinate Sacral nerve stimulation also addresses the problem of nonobstructive urinary retention, a urinary condition defined by the need for a catheter to evacuate urine; spending considerable time in the bathroom, yet producing only a weak, dribbling stream of urine; urinary leakage; and not having a sensation tha
