What Does Axonics Therapy Do?

Overactive bladder symptoms may occur because of abnormal communication between the brain and the bladder. This may lead to the feeling of an urgent need to urinate and unwanted bladder contractions. You may need to rush to the restroom and even leak or lose urine before you make it. 

Axonics Therapy is an advanced bladder control treatment clinically proven to help patients regain bladder control. This therapy provides gentle stimulation to the nerves that communicate between the brain and bladder. RGU providers may recommend this advanced therapy that can help restore normal control of the bladder, resulting in symptom improvement. In fact, 93% of patients experienced 50% or greater reduction in their symptoms, and 94% were satisfied with their therapy at two years. 

According to RGU urology specialist Dr. Emma Bendaña, Axonics Therapy can be a great option for patients who have exhausted other options. “It’s definitely not for everybody,” said Dr. Bendaña. “But some people, especially if they’ve had severe symptoms for a long time, [or] have tried other therapies like medication, physical therapy, dietary changes…Axonics is definitely an option to look into.”

How Does Axonics Therapy Compare to Other Treatment Options?

If you have recently been diagnosed with overactive bladder, urinary frequency, urinary or bowel incontinence, or urinary retention, your physician will start with a conservative treatment plan to see if lifestyle changes, physical therapy, or medications can help you find relief. If those treatments do not work, then it’s time to look into alternative solutions like Axonics Therapy.

Axonics Therapy is not the first line of defense. It’s an advanced therapy that is considered when other conservative treatments aren’t providing the relief you need. This small implant offers a long-term solution to help you better manage your symptoms. 

For example, instead of getting up four or five times per night to use the restroom, with Axonics Therapy you might only have to get up one time at night, allowing you a better night’s rest.

Whar Are The Benefits of Axonics Therapy?

If your physician is recommending Axonics Therapy, it’s because they want to help minimize your symptoms so you can gain better control of your bladder. 

Axonics is particularly helpful for patients whose bladders don’t work as well, since options are limited. “For that set of patients, Axonics is a really good option,” said Dr. Bendaña. “Patients that have been doing clean intermittent catheterization or getting urinary tract infections…could potentially resolve those issues with Axonics treatment.” 

This therapy offers many benefits, including:

• An opportunity to try it out first: Your therapy journey begins with a short, easy test that lets you experience firsthand if this therapy works for you. 
• A long-term solution for symptom relief: Axonics Therapy is designed to provide therapy for at least 15 years.
• Minimal follow-up: Unlike other treatments that may require frequent visits to the doctor’s office, you’ll only need to come in for a two-week checkup and annual appointments following the Axonics implant procedure, unless you encounter any issues. Your physician will check in one month, three months, and six months after the procedure to ensure everything is working. Then, you’ll have an annual checkup with your physician to review the progress of your symptoms and ensure everything is going well.  

How Do I Know if Axonics Therapy is Right for Me?

The decision to pursue Axonics Therapy is a joint decision between you and your physician. Your physician will review your symptoms, the treatment you’ve received to date, and your health history. If you and your doctor determine that you are a candidate for this treatment, take a brief treatment test period through RGU.

This brief trial allows you to test the therapy, so you can experience what the symptom relief will feel like before committing to long-term therapy. Following the trial, if you and your doctor decide Axonics Therapy is right for you, you’ll undergo an outpatient procedure to have the miniature implant placed. From there, the control is back in your hands!  

Learn more about the benefits of Axonics Therapy by following their accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Ready to learn more about Axonics Therapy and whether it’s right for you? Schedule an appointment with us today.