All You Need to Know About an Artificial Urinary Sphincter
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November 8, 2021
An Artificial Urinary Sphincter
Urinary incontinence is an issue that can affect men of all ages. Treating urinary incontinence is dependent on patient-specific factors. One possible treatment method is an artificial urinary sphincter. While both men and women can suffer from urinary incontinence, women will normally receive other treatment options. Our south Florida urology office feels that patients should have access to as much information as possible to be able to make informed decisions on what treatment methods are best for them.
What Is a Urinary Sphincter?
The urinary sphincter is a muscle controlling the flow of urine from the bladder. When closed, it blocks urine from leaving the bladder. When one urinates, they relax their urinary sphincter allowing urine to travel from the bladder through the urethra and out of your body.
What Is an Artificial Urinary Sphincter?
An artificial urinary sphincter is a device that mimics the actions of a urinary sphincter, achieving the same goal. The device is composed of three different parts – urethra cuff, pump, and balloon. The urethra cuff wraps around the urethra, controlling the flow of urine. The pump moves fluid into or away from the urethra cuff. The balloon is used to hold fluid.
How Does It Work?
To urinate with the device, one squeezes the pump located in the scrotum. This triggers the cuff to open, where it will remain open for three minutes before closing on its own.
The Procedure
An artificial urinary sphincter must be inserted surgically. The procedure takes about two hours to complete. Typically, the average hospital stay will last two to three days.
Recovery Time
Patients typically can return to normal activity between 4 and 6 weeks after their procedure. During this time, patients must avoid heavy lifting and exertion and are advised to avoid sexual activity for six weeks and until after the sphincter is activated.
Schedule an Appointment With a Urologist in Miami
To understand the best treatment options for male urinary incontinence and whether an artificial urinary sphincter is right for you, we recommend seeing a urologist. Our urologist, Dr. Edward Gheiler, has over two decades of experience in treating urological issues and will provide an in-depth analysis of what the best treatment options are for you.
We offer a wide range of urological services, including erectile dysfunction treatment, kidney stone treatment, men’s health, pelvic floor reconstruction, prostate cancer treatment, prostate exams, and vasectomies.
Contact us today to learn more about our procedures and discuss the best treatment options for you.
