Living with urinary incontinence can be challenging. You’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide experience this condition. Let’s discuss how many people are affected, traditional treatments, and a revolutionary treatment called ME-Bella.

Background

Urinary incontinence affects millions globally. In the UK alone, it impacts around 3 to 6 million people. This condition can affect anyone, but it’s more common in women, especially after childbirth or menopause. Men can also experience incontinence, often related to prostate issues.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

There are several types of urinary incontinence, each with different causes and characteristics:

1. Stress Incontinence: This occurs when physical activity or exertion, such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects, puts pressure on the bladder, causing leakage. It’s often related to weakened pelvic floor muscles.
2. Urge Incontinence: Also known as overactive bladder, this type involves a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage. It can be caused by bladder muscle spasms or neurological conditions.
3. Overflow Incontinence: This happens when the bladder doesn’t empty completely, leading to frequent or constant dribbling of urine. It can be due to a blocked urethra or weak bladder muscles.
4. Functional Incontinence: This type is related to physical or cognitive impairments that prevent a person from reaching the bathroom in time. Conditions like arthritis or dementia can contribute to functional incontinence.
5. Mixed Incontinence: This is a combination of stress and urge incontinence, where individuals experience symptoms of both types.

Traditional Treatments for Urinary Incontinence

There are several traditional treatments for urinary incontinence. These treatments vary based on the type and severity of incontinence.

1. Lifestyle Changes

Simple lifestyle changes can significantly impact urinary incontinence. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, losing weight, and quitting smoking can help.

• Dietary Adjustments: Avoiding bladder irritants like spicy foods, citrus fruits, and artificial sweeteners can reduce symptoms.
• Fluid Management: Drinking adequate fluids while avoiding excessive intake can help maintain bladder health.

2. Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, strengthen the muscles that control urination. These exercises are effective but require consistency.

• How to Perform Kegels: Identify the pelvic floor muscles by stopping urination midstream. Once identified, contract these muscles for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat several times a day.
• Benefits: Regular practice can improve bladder control and reduce leakage.

3. Bladder Training

Bladder training involves scheduling bathroom visits and gradually increasing the time between them. This method helps improve bladder control.

• Timed Voiding: Start by urinating at set intervals, such as every hour, and gradually extend the time between visits.
• Urge Suppression Techniques: Techniques like deep breathing and distraction can help manage the urge to urinate.

4. Medications

Several medications can help manage urinary incontinence. These include anticholinergics, which reduce bladder spasms, and beta-3 agonists, which relax the bladder muscle.

• Anticholinergics: These medications, such as oxybutynin and tolterodine, help reduce bladder muscle spasms.
• Beta-3 Agonists: Medications like mirabegron relax the bladder muscle, increasing its storage capacity.
• Topical Oestrogen: For postmenopausal women, topical oestrogen can help strengthen the tissues around the urethra and bladder.

5. Medical Devices

Medical devices like urethral inserts and vaginal pessaries can provide support and reduce leakage. These devices are particularly useful for stress incontinence.

• Urethral Inserts: These are small, disposable devices inserted into the urethra to prevent leakage during activities.
• Vaginal Pessaries: These are ring-like devices inserted into the vagina to support the bladder and urethra.

6. Surgery

Surgery is usually considered a last resort. Procedures like sling surgery or bladder neck suspension can provide long-term relief.

• Sling Surgery: A sling made of synthetic material or tissue is placed under the urethra to provide support.
• Bladder Neck Suspension: This procedure involves lifting and securing the bladder neck and urethra to prevent leakage.

Introducing ME-Bella

Now, let’s talk about a groundbreaking treatment called ME-Bella. This non-invasive treatment uses electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) technology to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

How ME-Bella Works

ME-Bella involves sitting on a specialised chair that emits EMS energy. This energy stimulates the pelvic muscles, inducing thousands of supramaximal contractions in a single session. These contractions are much more intense than those achieved through regular Kegel exercises.

The ME-Bella Process

The treatment is simple and non-invasive. You sit fully clothed on the ME-Bella chair for about 30 minutes. During this time, the chair emits electromagnetic waves that stimulate your pelvic floor muscles. Most patients describe the sensation as a series of strong but painless muscle contractions.

Treatment Schedule

A typical ME-Bella treatment plan involves six sessions, scheduled twice a week for three weeks. After the initial treatment, maintenance sessions are recommended every six to twelve months to sustain the benefits.

Benefits of ME-Bella

ME-Bella offers several benefits:

• Non-Invasive: No surgery or needles are involved.
• Convenient: Each session lasts only 30 minutes.
• Effective: Many patients notice improvement after just a few sessions.
• Comfortable: You remain fully clothed during the treatment.

The Science Behind ME-Bella

ME-Bella’s effectiveness lies in its ability to deliver electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) energy to the pelvic floor muscles. This energy induces supramaximal contractions, which are more intense than voluntary contractions. These powerful contractions lead to muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and improving bladder control.

Muscle Hypertrophy and Hyperplasia

• Hypertrophy: This refers to the increase in muscle size due to the growth of muscle fibres. The intense contractions induced by ME-Bella stimulate muscle hypertrophy, enhancing the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles.
• Hyperplasia: This involves the increase in the number of muscle fibres. ME-Bella’s supramaximal contractions promote hyperplasia, further contributing to the overall improvement in muscle function.

Clinical Studies and Results

Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMS in treating urinary incontinence. Patients have reported significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.

• Study 1: A study published in the journal “Neurourology and Urodynamics” found that 95% of patients experienced a significant reduction in urinary incontinence symptoms after undergoing EMS treatments.
• Study 2: Another study in the “International Urogynecology Journal” reported that 67% of patients were completely dry after completing the EMS treatment protocol.

Patient Testimonials

Many patients have shared their positive experiences with ME-Bella. Here are a few testimonials:

• Jane, 45: “After just a few sessions, I noticed a significant improvement. I no longer have to worry about leakage when I laugh or exercise.”
• Mark, 60: “ME-Bella has been a game-changer for me. I can now enjoy my daily activities without constantly thinking about finding a bathroom.”
• Amber, 34: “After my 4 children I have been unable to control my bladder. After just 3 ME-Bella sessions my control increased dramatically and I no longer need to wear pads.”

Maintenance and Long-Term Results

To maintain the benefits of ME-Bella, it’s important to follow the recommended maintenance schedule. Most patients require maintenance sessions every six to twelve months. These sessions help sustain the muscle strength and prevent the recurrence of symptoms.

Combining ME-Bella with Other Treatments

ME-Bella can be combined with other treatments for enhanced results. For example, continuing with pelvic floor exercises and making lifestyle changes can complement the effects of ME-Bella.

• Pelvic Floor Exercises: Regular Kegel exercises can help maintain the strength of the pelvic floor muscles between ME-Bella sessions.
• Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding bladder irritants, and practising good fluid management can further improve bladder control.

Addressing Common Concerns

It’s natural to have questions and concerns about a new treatment. Here are some common questions patients have about ME-Bella:

Is ME-Bella Safe?

Yes, ME-Bella is a safe treatment for urinary incontinence. The procedure is non-invasive, and there are no known serious side effects.

Does ME-Bella Hurt?

No, ME-Bella is a painless procedure. Patients typically describe the sensation as a series of strong but comfortable muscle contractions.

How Soon Will I See Results?

Many patients notice improvements after just one or two sessions. However, the full benefits are usually achieved after completing the entire treatment protocol.

Conclusion

Urinary incontinence can be challenging, but effective treatments are available. Traditional methods like lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, and medications can help. For those seeking a non-invasive and effective solution, ME-Bella offers a promising option. By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, ME-Bella can significantly improve bladder control and quality of life.

How do I find out more?

Its best to speak with one of our team at Riverbanks to find out if ME-Bella can help you. You can do this by booking a complimentary online consultation.

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