A revolutionary treatment is being offered for the first time in Australia, to women who suffer from incontinence, using radiofrequency technology.
Vaginal micro-needling is expected to significantly improve the lives of incontinent women, with Australian research showing that one in four women suffer from this perceived taboo condition.
Leading GP Obstetrician, Dr Elizabeth Golez, said around 70 per cent of affected women are held back from seeking medical advice due to embarrassment.
“Those who have sought help have only had limited options, such as invasive surgery and painful laser but this is changing,” Dr Golez said.
“In an Australian first, Empower RF [radio frequency technology] is giving women their quality of life back using cutting edge radiofrequency technology.”
Dr Golez said the treatment helps to “treat bladder control, strengthen pelvic floor muscles and return collagen liquidity back into vaginal walls”.
Although incontinence is a common problem, it can have long-term physical and emotional impacts on those who suffer from it, affecting self-esteem, motivation, and independence.
Managing Director of InMode Australia, the company that supplies the technology, Dennis Cronje, said women don’t have to suffer in silence any longer.
“There are so many women suffering in silence but they no longer need to, EmpowerRF restores patient self-confidence and quality of life without surgery or prolonged downtime,” Cronje said.
“Radio frequency treatments use electrical energy to generate heat and trigger skin tightening and the heat can be controlled ensuring no risk of burning.”
Starts at 60 spoke to Continence Foundation of Australia CEO Rowan Cockerell, who broke down the effects that the heavily stigmatised issue has on mental health, saying the “impact of living with incontinence cannot be understated”.
“Incontinence impacts people’s social and emotional wellbeing, their ability to engage with the community and their confidence in being out and about. In the Continence Foundation of Australia’s 2021 Consumer Survey, a significant number of responders reported that incontinence affects their mental health and wellbeing as well as their relationships with family and friends,” Cockerell said.
“The most common reasons for not seeking and receiving treatment are stigma and shame. There is also a common misconception that incontinence is a normal and inevitable part of ageing and/or being female and this is incorrect. Many people may feel embarrassed and therefore unwilling to discuss their concerns even with a health professional.
“We know that people living with incontinence are often stigmatised and this can lead to withdrawal from work, social, physical and sexual activities.”
Cockerell added that “concealment of incontinence further adds to psychological distress and mental health issues.
“There is a clear link between incontinence and depression. Independently, these reduce the quality of life. When combined, there are additional effects for both physical and mental health.”
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