Botox injections into the bladder

• Onabotulinumtoxin, commonly used for OAB.
• Not surgery in the traditional sense.
• Usually performed in a physician’s office or procedure setting.
• Potential risks of significant side effects – do your research.
• Temporary, but repeatable.

Sacral Neuromodulation

• Implanted systems stimulate nerves near the sacrum instead of the tibial nerve.
• Requires an implanted device.
• Usually considered after less invasive approaches.

Botox and implanted neuromodulation systems may be appropriate when earlier treatments have not provided satisfactory results. Both require consideration of the benefits, risks, costs, and continuing treatment or follow-up that may be required.

Botox is less invasive than an implant, but its effects are temporary, side effects may be significant, and treatment may need to be repeated periodically.

If you are considering Sacral Neuromodulation, you may also want to learn about Revi, a tibial nerve stimulation implant discussed later in this website. These implants stimulate different nerves and involve different procedures, benefits, risks, costs, and continuing care.

You will need to do your own research as well as consult more than one physician to understand these alternatives well enough to make a knowledge-based decision. A detailed comparison of these implanted therapies depends on the individual patient and is beyond the scope of this OAB Therapy 101 course.