If you leak urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or lift something, you’re not alone. This type of bladder leakage, called stress urinary incontinence (SUI), is common in women and can make everyday activities frustrating or uncomfortable.
The good news is that treatment options are available. One of them is Bulkamid®, a minimally invasive treatment that can help reduce bladder leaks without traditional surgery.
If you’re considering Bulkamid, you probably have questions. How long does it last? How quickly does it work? Can you have it more than once?
Here are answers to 10 of the most common questions women ask about Bulkamid.
1. How long does Bulkamid last?
One of the biggest benefits of Bulkamid is that the results can be long-lasting.
Studies have shown that many women continue to experience improvement in bladder leakage for several years after treatment. However, every woman is different, so there isn’t an exact number of years that Bulkamid will work for everyone.
Your results can depend on your symptoms, overall health and how your body responds to treatment.
2. Is Bulkamid permanent?
Bulkamid is designed to provide long-lasting support, but it isn’t considered a permanent cure for urinary incontinence.
Some women experience improvement for many years. Others may eventually notice that leakage begins to return.
If that happens, it doesn’t mean you’re back to square one. Your urologist can evaluate your symptoms and talk with you about additional treatment options.
3. How does Bulkamid stop bladder leaks?
Bulkamid helps your urethra—the tube that carries urine out of your bladder—stay closed when pressure is placed on your bladder.
During treatment, a soft, water-based gel is injected into the walls of the urethra. The gel creates small cushions that help the urethra close more effectively.
This can help prevent those unexpected leaks that happen when you:
- Cough or sneeze
- Laugh
- Exercise or run
- Jump
- Lift something heavy
- Do other activities that put pressure on your bladder
4. What kind of bladder leakage does Bulkamid treat?
Bulkamid treats stress urinary incontinence.
Stress incontinence is the type of leakage that happens with physical movement or activity. For example, you might leak when you sneeze, laugh or exercise.
This is different from urge incontinence, which usually involves a sudden, strong need to urinate that can be difficult to control.
Some women have both types of incontinence. That’s one reason it’s important to talk with a urologist before choosing a treatment. Understanding why you’re leaking helps determine which treatment is most likely to help.
5. Will I need Bulkamid more than once?
Maybe, but not everyone does.
Some women get the improvement they’re looking for after their initial treatment. Others may benefit from an additional Bulkamid treatment to achieve better results.
Symptoms can also change over time. If you begin experiencing bothersome leakage again, your urologist can determine whether another Bulkamid treatment or a different option makes sense.
6. Can Bulkamid be repeated?
Yes. For some women, Bulkamid can be repeated.
If your first treatment helped but you still have some leakage—or if your symptoms return later—your urologist can evaluate whether another Bulkamid treatment may be appropriate.
Having Bulkamid doesn’t mean you can’t consider other treatments in the future, either. Your treatment plan can change as your needs change.
7. How quickly will I notice results?
Some women notice an improvement relatively soon after their Bulkamid procedure.
Keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different. Your urologist will explain what you can expect after treatment, when you can return to your usual activities and when to evaluate how well the treatment is working.
The goal isn’t necessarily to guarantee that you’ll never experience another leak. It’s to reduce leakage so you can go about your daily life with greater comfort and confidence.
8. Is Bulkamid surgery?
Bulkamid is considered a minimally invasive procedure rather than traditional incontinence surgery.
There are no large incisions. Instead, the Bulkamid gel is carefully injected into the wall of the urethra to provide additional support.
The procedure is typically brief, and your urologist will discuss anesthesia, recovery and what to expect before you have treatment.
For women who would prefer to avoid or postpone more invasive surgery, Bulkamid may be an option worth discussing.
9. What happens if my bladder leaks come back?
You still have options.
If your symptoms return after Bulkamid, the first step is figuring out what has changed. Your urologist can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the next step based on your individual needs.
Depending on your situation, options might include:
- Another Bulkamid treatment
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- A urethral sling procedure
- Other treatments based on the type and cause of your incontinence
Urinary incontinence treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best approach is the one that fits your symptoms, health and personal preferences.
10. How do I know if Bulkamid is right for me?
If you regularly leak urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or lift something, Bulkamid may be worth discussing with a urologist.
But you don’t have to figure out which treatment you need before making an appointment.
Your urologist can first determine what type of incontinence you have and why it’s happening. From there, you can talk about your options—including the benefits and considerations of Bulkamid—and decide what makes the most sense for you.
You Don’t Have to Plan Your Life Around Bladder Leaks
Maybe you’ve stopped running because you’re worried about leaking. Perhaps you wear a pad every day “just in case.” Or maybe you think twice before laughing too hard, taking a long trip or joining an exercise class.
Bladder leakage may be common, but you don’t have to simply accept it as part of getting older or being a woman.
At Urology Associates, Dr. Ramy Goueli is a board-certified, fellowship-trained urologist with specialized expertise in female pelvic medicine, reconstructive urology, neuro-urology and complex voiding conditions.
Dr. Goueli works with women to understand what is causing their bladder symptoms and find a treatment approach that fits their individual needs. Treatment options may include Bulkamid®, pelvic floor therapy, sling procedures and other advanced therapies when appropriate.
If bladder leakage is getting in the way of the things you enjoy, schedule an appointment with Urology Associates. The first step is simply talking about your symptoms. From there, Dr. Goueli can help you understand your options and find a path toward fewer leaks and greater confidence.
