Sling

Stress urinary continence can strike at the worst times, like when you’re lifting something heavy at your office or enjoying a good laugh. Even a small amount of leakage can get in the way of your enjoyment of the rest of your day. Fortunately, with mid-urethral slings, Ryan Stratford, MD, MBA, FACOG, Kelly Kantartzis, MD, MS, FACOG, and Peter Jeppson, MD, FACOG at The Woman’s Center in Mesa, Arizona, can correct incontinence and help you regain control of your bladder. To learn more about this surgery, call the Phoenix-area practice or book your appointment online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is stress urinary incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence is the inability to keep all of your urine in your bladder when it’s under stress. That stress can come from a variety of sources; stress urinary incontinence most frequently occurs when you:

Sneeze
Cough
Laugh
Exercise
Strain when lifting something

Whatever is causing your incontinence, all you want is a way to reverse it. The Woman’s Center has a way to do exactly that with mid-urethral slings.

What is a mid-urethral sling?

This type of sling is ideal for women who have tried to reverse their urinary stress incontinence with pelvic floor exercises but are still dealing with leakage.

The sling itself is made out of mesh and is placed between your urethra (along the middle section, hence the name) and the skin of your vagina. Your urethra provides the channel for urine to leave your body.

In cases of stress urinary incontinence, the muscles and ligaments that normally seal your urethra shut to prevent leakage don’t perform the way they should.

By placing a sling underneath your urethra, The Woman’s Center f offers this channel more support so it can seal completely, putting a stop to your incontinence.

What’s the process for getting a sling placed?

Placing a mid-urethral sling is a minor surgical procedure. The Woman’s Center urogynecologists are highly experienced in placing these slings. They let you know what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. Generally, they use a general anesthetic during the surgery.

Most patients are able to go home the same day their mid-urethral sling is placed. The Woman’s Center monitors you closely after your surgery.

Once any postoperative pain is effectively managed and you can empty your bladder normally, they release you to recover comfortably at home.

Within a few days, you’ll be able to drive and go about your normal daily routine. In two weeks, you can generally resume sports and any other physically strenuous activity.

You don’t have to live with leakage. To learn more about mid-urethral slings and to find out if one is right for you, call The Woman’s Center or schedule your appointment online.