Urethral Bulking with Bulkamid®

Urethral bulking is a minimally invasive treatment for women experiencing stress urinary incontinence (SUI)—the leakage that can occur when coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, lifting, or changing position. It may be recommended for women who want to improve bladder control without undergoing more extensive incontinence surgery, including women who have persistent or recurrent leakage after previous treatment. During the procedure, Bulkamid®, a soft, water-based hydrogel, is injected into the tissue of the urethral wall. The injections add volume around the urethra, helping improve its natural closing mechanism so it can better prevent urine from leaking during activities that increase pressure on the bladder. Typically, three to four small injections are placed using a cystoscope to guide precise placement. The procedure is generally quick and can be performed as an outpatient treatment, with the exact anesthesia approach depending on the patient and provider.

One of the primary benefits of urethral bulking is that it is less invasive than traditional surgical treatments, with no incision or implanted sling required, and many women experience meaningful improvement in leakage. Recovery is generally brief, although temporary burning with urination, light bleeding, urinary discomfort, urinary tract infection, or difficulty emptying the bladder can occur. Unlike some surgical options, urethral bulking may have lower overall effectiveness and repeat injections may be needed to maintain or improve results. For these reasons, Bulkamid may be considered when a woman wants a less invasive option, wishes to avoid or postpone surgery, has medical factors that make surgery less desirable, or has ongoing stress incontinence following another procedure. Your provider can evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals to determine whether urethral bulking is an appropriate option.