This Tampon-Like Device Stops Your Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence affects millions of women, fueling anxiety in all kinds of day-to-day situations — even a sneeze, a laugh or a workout at the gym can prompt unexpected leakage. However, over-the-counter bladder supports now available are helping many women take control of this embarrassing problem.

How do bladder supports work?

The short answer is that they work sort of like tampons, but with some important differences. They come with a tampon-style applicator. But, rather than a wad of absorbent fibers, they are collapsible silicone structures with a non-absorbent polypropylene covering.

Beneath the cover, they look a little like an oversized jack (the classic children’s toy — jacks and ball — not the tool for changing a tire).

Once inserted into the vagina, the support expands to lift and support the urethra (the small tube that conveys urine out of the bladder), helping to stop leaks from stresses such as coughing, sneezing or exercising.

“Stress urinary incontinence is the result of poor tissue support around the urethra,” says Ob/Gyn Cecile Ferrando, MD.

Also, while wearing these supports, you still can urinate or have a bowel movement. The supports provide added support to help prevent accidental leaks — but they won’t stop you from urinating and it should not move or fall out during bowel movements.

A good alternative to surgery

Bladder supports are often a good alternative to surgery. They’re relatively comfortable and non-invasive, and you can wear them only when you need them.

“A number of more active patients may use bladder supports because they just need something that will help when they’re being more physically active,” says urologist Sandip Vasavada, MD.

Dr. Ferrando says they’re also a good option for women who simply want to avoid the possible risks or complications of surgery. “So they’re not looking for surgery, they just want to manage it when they’re active,” she says.

Follow directions to manage safety concerns

Like any item worn in the vagina, bladder supports come with a small but important risk of toxic shock syndrome (a rare condition caused by certain strains of bacteria that produce toxins).

They can typically be worn safely for up to eight hours within a 24-hour period.

“As with any other tampon or device you’d insert into the vagina, you’d want to make sure that it’s removed as directed,” says Dr. Vasavada.

Using supports with other types of treatment

Although bladder supports work well on their own, they can also be a part of a more comprehensive treatment plan.

“They can certainly be used with pelvic floor physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and supports around the urethra,” says Dr. Ferrando. The supports must be removed during the therapy, but the two can work together, she says.

Dr. Vasavada says making lifestyle changes (such as reducing your caffeine intake) and taking medication for overactive bladder are also helpful in some cases.

A good option for many women

Experts agree that bladder supports are worth a try for nearly any woman struggling with stress urinary incontinence.

However, although the supports offer advantages, they’re not perfect. In a few cases, they are not a good option, including for women who:

• Aren’t able to insert and remove things vaginally, or don’t feel comfortable doing so.
• Are pregnant.
• Have symptoms of a urinary tract infection or vaginal infection.
• Have heavy incontinence.

Women need to have realistic expectations, Dr. Ferrando says. “There are some patients whose stress incontinence is so bad that the bladder supports are minimally successful,” she says.

Dr. Vasavada says there also is a cost factor. “These supports must be changed regularly,” he says. “Some of my patients find that using the supports every day becomes very costly.”

Talk to your doctor if you have questions

If you’re not sure what type of incontinence you have, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.

“If they don’t have the type of leakage that would be helped by bladder supports — if they have urge leakage or overflow — those patients won’t benefit,” says Dr. Vasavada. “It might even make their symptoms worse.”

If you’re pretty sure you have urinary stress incontinence, however, it’s OK to try bladder supports.

“If women are experiencing leakage with laughing, coughing, running, sneezing or lifting, and it seems like it’s pretty clear-cut, then trying an over-the-counter bladder support is completely appropriate,” Dr. Ferrando says. “They don’t necessarily need to see their doctor first.”