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Bladder Botox for Incontinence Relief
Overactive bladder and urge incontinence can make daily life uncomfortable and stressful. When you’re constantly running to the bathroom or worrying about leaks, it’s hard to relax, focus at work, or even enjoy time with friends. If pills haven’t worked or caused side effects, there’s another option you may not have heard of: Bladder Botox.
Botox isn’t just for wrinkles. It can also help calm an overactive bladder and reduce accidents. At Lazare Urology, Dr. Jon Lazare offers this safe, FDA-approved treatment to help patients get lasting relief. In this post, we’ll explain how bladder Botox works, who can benefit, how it compares to other treatments, and what to expect from the procedure.
What Is Bladder Botox?
Bladder Botox uses botulinum toxin (commonly known as Botox) to relax the bladder muscles. Just like it relaxes muscles in the face to reduce wrinkles, it can also relax the muscles that cause bladder spasms. When those muscles are too active, they create a strong urge to urinate—even when your bladder isn’t full.
By calming those spasms, Botox helps reduce the feeling of urgency and lowers the chances of leaking before you make it to the bathroom. It doesn’t stop you from urinating, but it can help you go less often and with more control.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Bladder Botox is most often used for people who have:
- Overactive Bladder (OAB) with urge incontinence
- Tried medications like oxybutynin or tolterodine without relief
- Stopped medications due to side effects like dry mouth, constipation, or dizziness
- Conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) or spinal cord injury, which can affect bladder control
It can also be helpful for people who haven’t gotten full relief from other treatments like bladder training or pelvic floor therapy.
How the Procedure Works
Getting bladder Botox is a quick and simple procedure that is usually done right in the office.
- Preparation:
You’ll be asked to come in with a comfortably full bladder. A local numbing medication is placed in the bladder using a catheter to reduce any discomfort. - The Injection:
Dr. Lazare uses a thin scope (called a cystoscope) to see inside the bladder. He then places small injections of Botox into the bladder wall. The whole procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes. - After the Procedure:
Most people go home the same day. You might feel some mild burning when you urinate for a day or two, but this goes away quickly. Most patients can go back to normal activities within 24 hours.
You may need to keep track of your bathroom trips after the procedure so the doctor can see how well it’s working.
When Will I See Results?
Bladder Botox doesn’t work right away. Most people start to notice improvement in their symptoms about 5 to 7 days after the procedure. Full results are usually felt within 2 weeks.
Patients often report:
- Fewer bathroom trips
- Less urgency
- Fewer leaks or accidents
- Better sleep due to fewer nighttime trips
These results typically last 6 to 9 months. Once the effects wear off, the treatment can be safely repeated.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Bladder Botox is safe for most people, but like any procedure, there are some risks. The most common side effects include:
- Mild burning with urination
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Temporary difficulty emptying the bladder fully
If you have trouble urinating after the procedure, you may need to use a catheter for a short time. Dr. Lazare will explain how to do this if needed, and most people adjust quickly if it becomes necessary.
How Does It Compare to Other Treatments?
There are several treatments for overactive bladder, and each one works a little differently. Here’s how bladder Botox compares:
- Medications:
Pills can help reduce urgency and frequency, but they don’t work for everyone. Some people stop taking them due to side effects. Botox can be a good next step. - Pelvic Floor Therapy:
Exercises can help strengthen the muscles that control urination. These work best for stress incontinence but can also support urge incontinence when combined with other treatments. - PTNS (Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation):
PTNS sends small electrical pulses through a nerve in your ankle to calm the bladder. It requires 12 weekly sessions, while Botox is usually needed only once or twice a year.
Bladder Botox offers a strong, lasting option for patients who don’t get full relief from pills or non-invasive treatments.
Final Thoughts
Overactive bladder and incontinence can make life difficult, but there are effective solutions beyond medication. Bladder Botox is a fast, safe treatment that helps many people regain control and feel more confident. It works by calming overactive bladder muscles and reducing urges and accidents for months at a time.
If you’ve been dealing with constant bathroom trips, leaks, or frustration with medications, it may be time to explore this option. A skilled Urologist in Brooklyn can help you decide if bladder Botox is right for you.
With the right care, you can get back to living your life—without always needing to know where the nearest bathroom is.
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