Transvaginal Electrical Stimulation in Female Genuine Stress Incontinence.

Abstract

Objective: In this study the efficacy of transvaginal electrical stimulation in female genuine stress incontinence was assessed. Methods: Female patients with urinary incontinence were examined physically following history in a multiclinically based study involving Urology, Gynaecology, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. Urodynamics were performed for all patients, and 27 patients with genuine stress incontinence were included in this study. Transvaginal electrical stimulation were applied to the patients 30 mins once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. The daily number of pads, incontinence and micturition times (day-night) were obtained and all patients completed the incontinence-specific quality of life questionnaire (I-QoL) before, at the end of and at the 3rd month after therapy, and 25 patients who completed this study were evaluated. Results: In patients treated with transvaginal electrical stimulation, the times of incontinence, micturition times, and number of pads were significantly decreased (p<0.001) and the scores of I-QoL were significantly increased (p<0.001) after treatment and at the 3rd month post-treatment when compared with pretreatment levels. According to subjective assessment eighteen (72%) of patients were cured. The number of patients improved moderately and minimally were 4 (16%) and 3 (12%) respectively. No patient reported side effects during treatment. Conclusion: Transvaginal electrical stimulation could be an effective and safe treatment for women with genuine stress incontinence.