PTNS for Overactive Bladder: What to Expect at Lazare Urology

PTNS for Overactive Bladder: What to Expect at Lazare Urology

Living with an overactive bladder (OAB) can feel frustrating, embarrassing, and exhausting. Frequent trips to the bathroom, sudden urges to urinate, and even leaks can affect your daily life and confidence. While medications and exercises help many people, others still struggle with symptoms. That’s where PTNS, or Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation, comes in.

At Lazare Urology, PTNS is offered as a non-surgical treatment option for people who haven’t found enough relief with other methods. It’s a simple and gentle therapy that helps retrain the nerves controlling the bladder. In this post, we’ll explain how PTNS works, what the treatment timeline looks like, how well it works, and how it can be combined with other treatments to help you get control over your bladder again.

What Is PTNS?

PTNS stands for Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation. It’s a type of nerve therapy that helps reduce symptoms of overactive bladder. During treatment, a small, thin needle is placed near your ankle. This needle is connected to a device that sends mild electrical pulses to the tibial nerve.

Why the ankle? The tibial nerve runs up the leg and connects to the group of nerves responsible for bladder function. By gently stimulating this nerve, the treatment helps calm the signals going to and from your bladder. This can reduce feelings of urgency, frequency, and leakage.

PTNS is done in the office and is considered a low-risk procedure. Most people describe the feeling as a light tapping or tingling in the foot or ankle. It’s not painful, and many patients say it’s easy to get used to.

What Does the Treatment Timeline Look Like?

PTNS works slowly over time. It’s not a quick fix, but for many patients, it brings lasting relief.

Here’s the typical schedule for PTNS at Lazare Urology:

• First Phase (Initial Treatment):
  You’ll receive one treatment session each week for 12 weeks. Each session lasts about 30 minutes. During this time, most patients begin to notice a gradual improvement in their symptoms.
• Second Phase (Maintenance):
  After the first 12 weeks, patients who respond well to PTNS will usually continue with maintenance treatments once every 3 to 4 weeks. These help keep symptoms under control and prevent them from returning.

You don’t need to stay overnight or take time off work for PTNS. You can come in for your appointment, receive the treatment, and return to your day.

How Well Does PTNS Work?

Studies have shown that PTNS helps many people with OAB. In fact, research shows that between 60% and 80% of patients see a significant improvement in their symptoms. Many people say they can go longer between bathroom trips, feel fewer sudden urges, and have fewer leaks after a few weeks of treatment.

Some people see changes as early as week 4 or 5, but most see the biggest results closer to weeks 8 to 12. It’s important to stick with the full treatment plan, even if you don’t see immediate results.

While PTNS doesn’t work for everyone, those who do respond often feel it’s made a major difference in their quality of life. And for people who can’t take medications due to side effects, PTNS can be a great alternative.

Are There Any Side Effects?

PTNS is considered very safe. The most common side effects are minor and go away quickly. These may include:

• Mild pain or soreness where the needle was placed
• Slight bruising or redness
• Tingling or numbness in the foot or ankle (this usually stops right after the session ends)

Unlike some medications, PTNS doesn’t cause dry mouth, constipation, or drowsiness. Because it doesn’t involve surgery or anesthesia, there’s no recovery time needed.

How PTNS Fits into a Full Treatment Plan

At Lazare Urology, PTNS is just one part of a wide range of treatments offered for overactive bladder. Every patient is different, so Dr. Jon Lazare creates a personalized plan based on your symptoms, history, and goals.

PTNS is often used in combination with:

• Pelvic Floor Therapy:
  Exercises that help strengthen the muscles that control urination. This can improve bladder control over time.
• Medications:
  Some patients benefit from combining PTNS with a low-dose bladder medication. This combo can give stronger results than either option alone.
• Bladder Training:
  A program that helps you gradually increase the time between bathroom trips and reduce urgency.

Because PTNS has very few risks, it can be a good option to add to your care plan even if you’re trying other treatments.

Dr. Lazare is a board-certified Urologist in Brooklyn who understands how difficult it can be to live with bladder problems. His team at Lazare Urology works closely with each patient to find a plan that fits their lifestyle and brings real relief.

Is PTNS Right for You?

If you’ve tried bladder medications or exercises and still have symptoms, PTNS might be a good option. It’s gentle, non-surgical, and can bring lasting improvements without major side effects. It does take time and commitment, but many people find it’s worth it.

The best way to find out if PTNS is right for you is to talk with a urology expert. Dr. Lazare can explain your options and help you choose a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.

Final Thoughts

Overactive bladder can be frustrating, but you don’t have to live with it forever. PTNS is a safe and effective option for many people who need more than just medications or exercises. At Lazare Urology, patients get expert care and a personalized treatment approach from a trusted Urologist in Brooklyn.

If you’re tired of the constant bathroom trips and the worry that comes with OAB, PTNS could be the next step toward relief.

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