In this Healthwatch 16, Newswatch 16’s Emily Kress spoke with a physician assistant at UPMC about how Botox can help treat an overactive bladder.
PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Samantha Less is a Physician Assistant specializing in Urogynecology at UPMC Magee-Womens in north central Pennsylvania, seeing patients in Williamsport and Lewisburg. The specialty cares for a variety of different issues that women experience.
“So, prolapse, and pelvic floor dysfunction, definitely urinary issues such as overactive bladder, stress urinary incontinence,” said Samantha Less, PA-C UPMC, Urogynecology.
Less says one way to treat overactive bladder is with Botox, “It’s an injection into the bladder muscle, the detrusor muscle, to decrease that inappropriate signaling and spasm, therefore decreasing the urgency, frequency, and any incontinence associated.”
It’s an FDA-approved treatment that can be done every six months, but for some patients, the relief lasts longer.
Less explains that patients don’t need to fail other treatment options before deciding to get Botox treatments. “Some women opt for it straight out of the gate. Maybe they are already on a bunch of medications, and they don’t want to add another one to the list.”
Many patients who receive this treatment are in menopause or perimenopause. Before the injection, the bladder is numbed with lidocaine to ease any discomfort.
Less says it’s just one way to help patients get back to regular life and not have to worry about where the nearest bathroom is at all times. “This is very common, and something that doesn’t have to be dealt with just because you’re aging, and that is what you think is normal. It is something that affects your quality of life, and that we can absolutely improve upon.”