Bladder botox injections
At The London Clinic, our expert consultants offer innovative treatments such as bladder Botox injections to treat an overactive bladder (OAB).
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What is it for?
Treat symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB)
Treatment overview
Bladder Botox injections are a treatment option for men or women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), also known as detrusor (bladder muscle) instability or overactivity or irritable bladder. In this condition, the muscles of the bladder contract more often than required.
This leads to symptoms such as urinary urgency (suddenly needing to urinate or pee), urge incontinence (leaking of urine before you go to the toilet), needing to urinate more often and needing to urinate at night.
With bladder Botox injections, Botulinum toxin type A is injected into the muscular wall of the bladder. This causes the muscle to relax, reducing symptoms.
The cause of OAB is often unclear. In men, OAB symptoms sometimes develop after treatment for prostate cancer. Bladder Botox injections may also be used to help patients with an overactive bladder due to a neurological condition such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or a spinal cord injury. The symptoms of OAB can be uncomfortable and inconvenient.
At The London Clinic, our team of urologists are experts in providing a full range of treatment options for patients experiencing bladder issues, including Botox injections.
Our priority is to provide you with the very best and latest treatments, as well as outstanding personalised care throughout your time as our patient.
With everything you need under one roof, we take care of the details so you can focus on you.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis
FAQ's
At The London Clinic, we want to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care for your condition.
Our team of experts will carry out a full review and investigations of your symptoms before recommending treatment. Before having bladder Botox injections, it’s usually recommended to try other methods of treating OAB.
This may include lifestyle changes adjusting when and how much you drink, bladder training, pelvic floor exercises or medication to relax the bladder muscle.
If these options are not effective in reducing your symptoms, bladder Botox injections may be suitable for you.
Bladder Botox injections are given through a cystoscope, a narrow tube with a camera that is inserted through the urethra to the bladder.
Botox is injected into the muscular wall of the bladder, causing the muscle to relax. The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic as a day case, so most patients will be able to go home the same day.
It can also be carried out under general anaesthetic if you prefer.
Bladder Botox injections are effective in improving symptoms of OAB in around 70% of patients.
It can take up to two weeks for the treatment to work.
The effects of bladder Botox injections typically last for between six and twelve months. After this time, a repeat dose may be required.
Bladder Botox injections are safe and effective for most patients. We’ll advise you of the signs of possible side effects you need to be aware of and provide treatment should you need it.
After treatment, most patients notice some burning when they urinate and some blood in the urinate. This usually passes after a couple of days.
There is a low risk of developing a urinary tract infection after bladder Botox injections which can be treated with antibiotics.
In some women, the Botox can make them unable to empty their bladder.
If this happens, you’ll need to empty your bladder three to four times a day using a catheter until the effects of the Botox wear off.
Our compassionate nursing team will show you how to do this and offer support to help you manage this at home. Very rarely, patients may experience some weakness in their legs and arms after bladder Botox injections. This gradually improves over time and doesn’t usually require treatment.
Very rarely, patients may have an allergic reaction to Botox. We’ll advise you of symptoms that you should look out for and steps to take to quickly get the care you need.