Trial Assessment

The trial assessment takes 3 to 7 days and lets you try neurostimulation to see if it is right for you without making a long-term commitment. 

Your doctor will help you determine whether neurostimulation is right for you. The treatment is designed to minimize the symptoms of urinary retention. Neurostimulation may be a good option for you if you have not had success with more conservative treatments.

Here's how it works:

• Your doctor numbs a small area near your tailbone and inserts a thin, flexible wire near your sacral nerves. The wire is taped to your skin and connected to a small stimulator you’ll wear on your waistband.
• The stimulator sends mild electrical pulses through the wire to a sacral nerve. The stimulation may help improve your bladder function or get it working the way it’s supposed to.

During the trial assessment, you can continue many of your daily activities with caution. You can usually continue to work throughout your trial assessment if your job doesn’t require strenuous movement.

You'll be asked to document your urinary symptoms. If your symptoms are significantly reduced or eliminated during the trial, you and your doctor can discuss long-term neurostimulation therapy.

Your doctor or nurse will give you information about operating the test stimulator. He or she will also tell you about any precautions or activity restrictions related to the trial assessment.

The results of neurostimulation vary from person to person. This treatment option is not a cure for bladder control problems; it may help relieve your symptoms.

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