Overactive bladder getting in the way? You have options
Incontinence is common, affecting millions of people in the United States,1 but treatment is available. Medtronic has options to help you take control.
What is overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder (OAB) includes a variety of symptoms and diagnoses. Millions live with OAB, including urinary incontinence and issues with urgency or frequency.2,3 But just because it’s common doesn’t mean you have to accept the interruptions to your life.
Do you plan life around the bathroom?
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You’re not alone. Overactive bladder affects one in six U.S. adults2,4 — but not all seek treatment.5 And bladder problems can disrupt life, causing you to miss out on special moments. Even when medications may fail, you have options.
What causes overactive bladder?
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When you experience bladder leaks, there may be a disruption in the communication between your brain and bladder.6,7 Targeting this communication pathway may help restore† function.6,7
Have you tried pills and exercises already?
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If you’ve tried lifestyle changes and medications and still aren’t satisfied with the results, the InterStim™ system is a personalized, advanced treatment option that may help.
Overactive bladder treatment from Medtronic
The InterStim™ system is a small, implantable device that uses electrical stimulation to help the brain communicate with the bladder.6,7 The signals act like a messenger — helping your body recognize when it’s time to go — and may provide long-lasting relief for symptoms.8,9
Why choose the InterStim™ system?
How does InterStim™ work?
The therapy is an implantable device that targets nerves that control bladder function.6,7 It may help you control your symptoms8,9 and return to activities you love.
What makes InterStim™ better?
Medtronic offers a clinically proven bladder control therapy.8,9 Patients report 3X greater improvement in quality of life with the system compared to medications alone.‡,10
How can InterStim™ help you?
Leaks can disrupt daily life at just the wrong moment, causing you to miss out. The InterStim™ system has an 84% satisfaction among those who use it for bladder control.11
In addition to risks related to surgery, complications can include pain at the implant sites, new pain, infection, lead (thin wire) movement/migration, device problems, undesirable changes in urinary or bowel function, and uncomfortable stimulation (sometimes described as a jolting or shocking feeling). Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks
How does InterStim™
work?
work?
The therapy is an implantable device that targets nerves that control bladder function.6,7 It may help you control your symptoms8,9 and return to activities you love.
What makes InterStim™
better?
better?
Medtronic offers a clinically proven bladder control therapy.8,9 Patients report 3X greater improvement in quality of life with the system compared to medications alone.‡,10
How can InterStim™
help you?
help you?
Leaks can disrupt daily life at just the wrong moment, causing you to miss out. The InterStim™ system has an 84% satisfaction among those who use it for bladder control.11
In addition to risks related to surgery, complications can include pain at the implant sites, new pain, infection, lead (thin wire) movement/migration, device problems, undesirable changes in urinary or bowel function, and uncomfortable stimulation (sometimes described as a jolting or shocking feeling). Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks
450K+
Patients treated with an InterStim™ system
Sometimes, medication and physical therapy aren’t enough
3X
Improvement in quality of life compared to medications‡,10
450K+
Patients treated with an InterStim™ system
Sometimes, medication and physical therapy aren’t enough
3X
Improvement in quality of life compared to medications‡,10
I could probably sum it up in one word: freedom.”— Carolyn, InterStim™ patient, living with OAB
Individual results may vary. Talk to your doctor to see if this therapy is right for you.
Overactive Bladder FAQs
Overactive bladder symptoms
OAB includes both urge incontinence and issues with urgency-frequency. Urge incontinence symptoms may include frequent leaks, “going” before you make it to the bathroom, or needing to use pads or protective garments. Urgency-frequency may include an uncontrollable urge to “go,” feeling like your bladder is never empty, or going more than eight times a day.
If you experience symptoms like leaking after coughing, sneezing, or laughing, that may be an indication of stress incontinence, not OAB. The InterStimTM system is approved for overactive bladder, not stress incontinence.
How to tell if you may have an overactive bladder
Symptoms may be different for each person. If you are experiencing symptoms such as going to the bathroom frequently, urgency, or leaks, talk to your doctor about next steps.
How long do you need to feel symptoms before it’s likely OAB?
There is no strict timeline for how long you need to feel symptoms before OAB is suspected. If you have symptoms, you should consult your doctor, who can work to rule out other causes and help you consider treatment options.
What do nerves have to do with urination?
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Sacral neuromodulation directly targets the sacral nerves to modulate miscommunication between the bladder and brain, which may help restore† bladder function.6,7 If you've tried medication and lifestyle changes and haven't gotten the relief that you need, there is another option.
How does InterStim™ help?
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Nerves in the pelvic area help control the bladder and muscles related to urinary function.6,7 Sacral neuromodulation directly targets the sacral nerves to modulate miscommunication between the bladder and brain, which may help restore† bladder function.6,7 You can test the system before committing. §
What is sacral neuromodulation?
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Unlike conventional treatments, the Medtronic InterStim™ system stimulates the sacral nerves in the pelvic area that control the bladder.6,7 This may help restore† bladder-brain communication and reduce your symptoms.8,9
| † | Restored function defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in dysfunctional voiding symptoms from baseline. |
| ‡ | Minimally Important Difference (MID) = 10 points. |
| § | Complications can occur with test, including movement of the wire, technical problems with the device, and some temporary pain. Your healthcare provider will give you information regarding how to operate the test device, and inform you of other precautions related to the test and activity restrictions. |
- Patel UJ, Godecker AL, Giles DL, Brown HW. Updated Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in Women: 2015-2018 National Population-Based Survey Data. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2022 Apr 01;28(4):181-187.
- Stewart WF, Van Rooyen JB, Cundiff GW, et al. Prevalence and burden of overactive bladder in the United States. World J Urol. 2003;20(6):327-336.
- US Census Bureau 2020. US adult and under-age-18 populations: 2020 census. https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/adult-and-under-the-age-of-18-populations-2020-census.html. Accessed June 20, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/Default.aspx. Accessed January 31, 2025.
- Muller N. What Americans understand and how they are affected by bladder control problems: highlights of recent nationwide consumer research. Urologic Nurs. 2005;25(2):109-115.
- Chancellor MB, Chartier-Kastler EJ. Principles of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for the treatment of bladder and urethral sphincter dysfunctions. Neuromod. 2000;3(1):15–26.
- Leng WW, Chancellor MB. How sacral nerve stimulation neuromodulation works. Urol Clin North Am. 2005;32:11-18.
- Siegel S, Noblett K, Mangel J, et al. Five-year follow-up results of a prospective, multicenter study of patients with overactive bladder treated with sacral neuromodulation. J Urol. 2018;199(1):229-236.
- Medtronic InterStim Clinical Summary 2018.
- Siegel S, Noblett K, Mangel J, et al. Results of a prospective, randomized, multicenter study evaluating sacral neuromodulation with InterStim therapy compared to standard medical therapy at 6-months in subjects with mild symptoms of overactive bladder. Neurourol Urodyn. 2015;34:224-230
- Foster RT Sr, Anoia EJ, Webster GD, Amundsen CL. In patients undergoing neuromodulation for intractable urge incontinence a reduction in 24-hr pad weight after the initial test stimulation best predicts long-term patient satisfaction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2007;26:213-217.