Bladder Botox: What is it and how does it help?

An overactive bladder can impact a woman’s quality of life, and it’s something that many women experience. The good news is there are options for treatment, including Bladder Botox — a treatment specifically for overactive bladder.

Samantha Less, PA-C, who specializes in urogynecology with UPMC Magee-Womens at UPMC Williamsport, explains, “Overactive bladder is a condition of inappropriate signaling and spasm of the bladder detrusor muscle. This causes urinary urgency or frequency, waking up at night repeatedly, and sometimes incontinence if the patient cannot make it to the bathroom in time.”

The treatment includes injecting Botox directly into the detrusor muscle to decrease the activity of the bladder muscle. It blocks the nerve signals that cause the inappropriate spasticity of the muscle.

“The goal is to improve the severity of urgency and have a decrease in the frequency of urination during the day and at night. This in turn reduces episodes of incontinence and gives women a freedom many haven’t experienced for years,” says Samantha.

The number of treatments vary woman to woman, but the US. Food and Drug Administration guidelines note the procedure can be performed at most, every six months. Samantha adds, “Women are not required to try other treatments before they can move forward with Bladder Botox; however, most women have usually tried an oral medication before this treatment. The procedure is done in the office and is authorized with your insurance prior to the treatment.”

A week before the treatment, the urogynecology team checks to make sure the woman does not have an active urinary tract infection. Additionally, there are certain conditions, such as the inability to empty the bladder or history of neurologic conditions such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome that may impact the qualification for treatment.

“Sometimes, overactive bladder can be confused with stress urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence is associated with activities that cause increased abdominal pressure, like coughing, laughing, or sneezing. Bladder Botox is not a treatment for this condition,” she says.

At UPMC Magee-Womens in North Central Pa., the urogynecology team focuses on pelvic floor disorders, including prolapse, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress urinary incontinence, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, sexual dysfunction, and overactive bladder.

To find a UPMC Magee-Womens location near you, visit UPMC.com/CaresForWomen.