Bulkamid
7 Years of Proven Relief from Stress Incontinence
What is Bulkamid?
If you’re one of the many women struggling with stress urinary incontinence (leaking during laughing, coughing, or exercise), Bulkamid is a proven solution that offers lasting relief with a minimally invasive urethral bulking procedure.
This treatment offers the following benefits:
- No incisions – just a few tiny injections!
- 92% of women experience improvement.
- Long-lasting results, proven to maintain its efficacy for 7 years.
About Urethral Bulking for Stress Urinary Incontinence
Urethral bulking is a procedure that involves injecting a material, called a bulking agent, around the walls of the urethra to narrow its width. This can treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
How it Works:
A thin camera (cystoscope) is inserted into the urethra, and a doctor uses a thin needle to inject a soft, disolvable gel with tiny hypoallergenic beads into the surrounding tissue. This adds bulk to the urethra, helping it close more effectively and prevent leaks. Success may not mean complete relief of incontinence, but most women experience less leakage.
What to Expect:
While effective, urethral bulking is not a permanent cure. The effects often wear off over time, and you may need repeat injections every 6-24 months. The procedure itself is quick and can be done in-office with minimal discomfort. Even though the injections are near the vagina, it won’t cause vaginal pressure or pain, even with intercourse.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Urethral bulking is a great option for women who:
- Aren't interested in surgery.
- Have medical conditions that make surgery risky.
- Are planning on getting pregnant in the future
Potential Risks:
- Pain during the injection
- Blood in the urine right after the procedure (Small amounts are a normal, temporary side effect.)
- Pain with urination
- Urinary tract infection (UTl)- Fewer than one in ten women who have a urethral bulking injection need treatment for a UTI.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder – Women who experience this need to catheterize themselves temporarily. This happens about 10 percent of the time.
- Shifting of the bulking material near the site of injection.
The Bulkamid® Procedure
Urethral bulking is a simple procedure that can significantly improve stress incontinence. It’s done right in the doctor’s office and doesn’t require any incisions, general anesthesia, or an overnight hospital stay. You can even eat and drink normally beforehand! While the procedure itself only takes about 20 minutes, your entire visit may last 1 to 2 hours.
When you arrive, you’ll be asked to provide a urine sample. This sample will check for signs of a UTI since the procedure cannot be performed while you have an active urinary tract infection. Next, you’ll be taken to the exam room where you’ll prepare by undressing from the waist down and lying on the table with a sheet over yourself and your feet placed in stirrups, similarly to a pelvic exam. After cleaning your genital area with an antiseptic solution, a numbing gel may be inserted into the urethra prior to the procedure. You may also be given an antibiotic to take by mouth.
Once the numbing medication takes effect, the doctor will gently insert a thin camera (cystoscope) into your urethra. This allows them to visualize the area and guide the injection of the bulking agent. The injection itself, usually at 2-4 sites, might cause a brief stinging sensation.
Before heading home, you’ll be asked to urinate to ensure the bulking agent hasn’t caused any blockage. While rare (less than 10% of cases), some women may temporarily experience difficulty emptying their bladder. If this happens, our staff will provide guidance on self-catheterization, a simple technique that’s usually only needed for a few days.
The effects of the injections may take a few days to kick in, so don’t worry if you still experience some leakage right after the procedure. It’s also normal to feel like you need to pee more often and experience a mild burning sensation or see a little blood in your urine for the first few days. Your doctor might recommend medication or a warm bath to help with any discomfort.
The great news is that there’s no need to limit your activities after the procedure! You can get back to your normal routine right away.
Contact your doctor’s office if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Trouble urinating or a sense that the bladder isn’t emptying.
- Heavy bleeding, including bright red-colored urine or large clots in the urine.
- Burning with urination, changes to the color or smell of urine, or chills and fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Need to urinate more frequently.
Like many types of procedures, you’ll want to attend a follow-up appointment where your doctor can assess your symptoms and possibly recommend another injection if needed.
