Electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles has been a common treatment for years. It has the disadvantage of requiring frequent physiotherapy visits and taking between two to three months before its benefits are felt. Side effects can also be distressing, and include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bleeding, and infection. A few studies have indicated that a vaginal device using electrical stimulation is significantly more effective than a sham device for patients with urge incontinence. Some researchers believe evidence is still insufficient to confirm its benefit, however, and it is not clear if it has many advantages for women with stress incontinence.
Magnetic stimulation is an alternative to electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor.
Current commercial stimulation systems can discharge only signal pulses for less than several minutes, however, before the coil overheats. The procedure is noninvasive and has fewer side effects than electrical stimulation. Sacral Nerve Stimulation. Complications include infection, lower back pain, and pain at the implant site. In some cases, symptoms worsen, and in one study, almost a third had to have additional surgery to alleviate pain or replace the device.