Urology Associates provides biofeedback and electrical stimulation therapy in the office. Biofeedback is designed to help patients with urinary incontinence or pelvic pain. The therapy is painless and does not involve surgery. The use of biofeedback in connection with pelvic floor exercises helps the patient learn to properly contract the muscles of the pelvic floor more efficiently resulting in improved urinary control.

Treatments are typically 20-30 minutes and given either twice a week for 4 weeks or once a week for 8 weeks, depending upon the patient’s problem. There is no special preparation and patients may continue taking their medications. Visits will be rescheduled if the patient has a bladder infection or for women on their menstrual cycle as this may cause discomfort. If patients have a pacemaker, electrical stimulation will not be performed.

Biofeedback therapy is performed by inserting a small sensor probe vaginally in women or rectally in men to monitor the pelvic floor muscles. EKG pads are placed on the abdomen to monitor the abdominal muscles. The activity of both the pelvic floor AND abdominal muscles will be displayed on a monitor. The goal is to learn how to contract the pelvic muscles without tensing the abdominal muscles. The hardest part is learning how to control both muscle groups at the same time. Electrical stimulation therapy is performed when the probe emits a slight pulsation causing the pelvic muscles to contract on their own. This is painless and helps to strengthen the patient’s muscles.

Studies show that many patients report significant improvement or complete control within two to three months of treatment. The success rate depends upon both the patient’s individual condition and diligence. Pelvic floor therapy is completely safe and produces no harmful side effects. If the results do not prove satisfactory, all other treatment options will still be available.