Getty Images |Bloomberg/ Contributor
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medication made from a substance called botulinum.
Botulinum is a toxin produced by a bacterium calledClostridium botulinum.
You may know of Botox as a cosmetic treatment that reduces facial wrinkles.
Getty Images |Bloomberg/ Contributor
But it also has uses that go much deeper than the skin’s surface.
Botox, which paralyzes the muscles where it’s injected, can also help withurinary incontinence.
Botox helps this muscle relax.
To treat incontinence with Botox, a healthcare professional injects the medication into the detrusor muscle.
This is the muscle that lines your bladder.
The detrusor muscle contracts (tightens) to help you urinate and relaxes to hold your urine.
This is to reduce your risk of bleeding during the procedure.
Before receiving your Botox injections, a healthcare team will give youanesthesiato numb your bladder area.
After you receive your injections, your healthcare team will monitor you for 30 minutes.
They’ll need to know that you’re able to urinate before you leave the office.
Your healthcare provider will inject 1 mL of Botox into 30 different sites of your bladder muscle.
After receiving the injections, your healthcare team will monitor you for 30 minutes before you leave the office.
How Quickly Will It Work?
However, it may take about 12 weeks to see the full effects of the medication.
The full effects of the medication are typically seen after six weeks.
After receiving Botox injections for bladder incontinence, the effects can last up to six months.
Your healthcare provider will let you know how often you should return for Botox treatments.
However, it’s not recommended you receive Botox bladder injections less than three months apart.
How Effective Is It?
These effects lasted up to six months.
Side Effects
Botox can cause side effects in some people.
Botox may make breathing more difficult if you have a nerve condition that causes breathing problems.
Talk with your healthcare provider about your health history before starting Botox treatment.
They’ll only recommend Botox if it’s safe for you to use.
This side effect is a medical emergency.
If you have symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Urinary Problems
Urinary retention is a common Botox side effect.
This may cause problems emptying your bladder.
Within two weeks of receiving your Botox injections, your healthcare team will monitor your bladder’s urine amount.
Botox increases your risk for UTI.
Before starting Botox treatment for urinary incontinence, let your provider know if you have frequent UTIs.
They’ll only prescribe Botox for you if the benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks.
Others can increase your risk of having urinary retention.
So, your healthcare provider may prescribe other medications to treat bladder incontinence before you receive Botox injections.
Summary
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection with several FDA-approved uses.
Botox is made from a toxin called botulinum.
It works for urinary incontinence by weakening your bladder muscle to keep it from contracting.
This helps prevent urine leakage.
Botox injections are given by a healthcare provider at a clinic or other healthcare facility.
Your provider will likely recommend different methods to treat incontinence before trying Botox.
Talk with your healthcare provider to learn more about Botox for urinary incontinence.
They can help you decide whether this medication is safe and effective for your condition.
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