New device stops stress incontinence in women

A new mesh sling might make the embarrassing problem of stress urinary incontinence a little less stressful for women. Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of small amounts of urine when a person coughs, sneezes or participates in activities such as aerobics. Stress incontinence may occur as a result of weakened pelvic muscles that support the bladder and urethra or because of a malfunction of the urethral sphincter, the muscles that control urination. Some women can fix the problem by performing Kegel or pelvic exercises; others with more severe cases need surgery.

This new device, the Monarc sling, is a narrow piece of mesh that is surgically placed under the mid-urethra, the tube through which a woman urinates. The mesh supports the urethra and provides a platform for it to rest against, helping it to close more tightly. “The device resembles a hammock you might have in between two trees in your backyard,” said Dr. Stephen Lapin, a urologist at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. The procedure involves making a small incision in the vaginal wall and putting the mesh in place. It takes about 20 minutes in an outpatient setting, and the majority of women are back to full activity within two weeks. This problem is common in women as they get older, especially in those who have had children. It can be very awkward and can greatly impact a woman’s quality of life. Studies have shown that 50 percent of all women have occasional stress incontinence, and nearly 20 percent of women over age 75 have daily urinary stress incontinence. Many surgical procedures to correct this problem, in the past, have had a high failure and recurrence rate. This particular procedure has a 90 percent success rate.

“Many women wear pads and other protection because they don’t know about the treatment options available, or they know someone whose surgery did not work,” said Lapin. “This procedure is a great way for women to correct the problem and go on doing the things they love without having to worry about stress incontinence putting them in an embarrassing situation.”

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