Have you ever said “no” to a tennis game or skipped a day hike with friends because you were worried about leaks? If you’ve made subtle lifestyle changes like this, you’re not alone. Many people dealing with urinary incontinence adjust their routines, believing it’s just part of life or that it will improve on its own. Pads, liners, and other products have become normalized, making it easy to delay seeking real solutions. But relying on these quick fixes can increase the problem over time.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the average person spends $750 annually just on absorbent products like pads. The costs of management may seem insignificant at first, but they add up over time. Furthermore, untreated incontinence can lead to more serious complications, eventually requiring expensive and invasive surgery.
The emotional cost is significant too. Several studies have shown that people with incontinence avoid activities they enjoy for fear of leaks. A palliative care nurse reported that one of the top 5 regrets among patients nearing the end of their lives was that they had limited their happiness by not living fully when they had the chance.
So why do people wait to address their incontinence? And how can early treatment improve your quality of life?Let’s explore these questions and offer a path to regaining freedom and confidence.
Why Do People Delay Treatment?
- Denial: “It’s Not a Medical Condition”
Often, people assume urinary incontinence will go away on its own, claiming it is a result of postpartum changes, menopause, or stress. But the truth is that incontinence rarely improves without treatment. If left unchecked, symptoms tend to worsen over time, making it harder to regain control later. Another form of denial is to say that incontinence is not medical, it is a normal part of aging.
- “It’s Not That Bad Yet”
It is a common misconception that incontinence must reach a certain level of severity to require treatment. As time goes on, small leaks often become more frequent and more difficult to manage. The sooner the treatment begins, the better the outcome and the less likely the disease will progress.
- Fear of Surgery or Invasive Solutions
Many people avoid seeking help because they fear their doctor will recommend surgery, such as bladder slings or injections. Although surgery may sometimes be necessary in severe cases, it can be risky and costly. By treating early and non-invasively, we can significantly reduce the necessity of surgery in the future.
- Avoidance of Doctor Visits
Often, people avoid discussing incontinence with their doctors because it is considered a low-priority health concern. Unfortunately, this delay often leads to missed opportunities for early intervention. A lack of awareness among healthcare providers may contribute to the normalization of the management of incontinence symptoms instead of the treatment of it.
Financial and Emotional Costs of Incontinence
The Hidden Costs of Management
You may think that relying on pads, liners, and absorbent products will be manageable in the beginning. These supplies adds up over time and are estimated to cost individuals 750 dollars per year on average. One report estimates that the total cost of urinary incontinence in the US exceeded US$80 billion in 2020. Another study found that the cost of treating incontinence in general is higher than the cost of treating pneumonia, influenza, and breast cancer.
Missed Opportunities and Emotional Toll
People who have incontinence often can’t live the lives they want. Research shows that individuals with incontinence withdraw from social events and avoid activities they enjoy, such as traveling, hiking, or sports. When leaks occur, anxiety and embarrassment can lower self-esteem and cause isolation.
Incontinence is actually the number one reason for entry into nursing homes (hence driving the cost up). In a presentation to urologists, one study found that people would rather die than the indignity of care workers changing their diapers at the end of their life.
The Consequences of Delayed Treatment
Worsening Symptoms Over Time
If left untreated, urinary incontinence worsens as pelvic muscles weaken and bladder ligaments stretch beyond repair. Although muscles can be rehabilitated, overstretched ligaments are harder to repair, reducing their effectiveness.
Surgery May Become the Only Option
Sometimes surgery is necessary to treat urinary incontinence, but it is not the first line of treatment. However, if incontinence goes untreated for too long, surgery may become the only option. Hence, early intervention is extremely important-both to improve your quality of life and to avoid surgery’s significant risks, costs, and challenges.
Common surgical procedures for incontinence include:
- Bladder sling surgery: A sling is implanted to support the urethra or bladder neck.
- Urethral bulking injections: Materials are injected around the urethra to help it close more effectively, but often needs to be repeated.
- Artificial urinary sphincters: These devices are implanted to manually control urine release.
The financial burden of surgery can be significant. The cost of incontinence surgeries in the U.S. can range from $10,000 to $35,000, depending on the procedure and location. Furthermore, complications may require further surgeries, increasing the overall cost.
Health Risks and Complications
Even though surgical procedures can be effective, they come with serious risks. According to studies, common complications include:
- Infections at the surgical site
- Urinary retention (difficulty emptying the bladder)
- Erosion or displacement of slings and implants, which may require additional surgeries
- Pain during sexual intercourse following sling procedures
One study found that 15-20% of patients required follow-up surgeries within five years due to complications or failure of the initial procedure. Long-term cure rates for slings are around 50-76% depending on the study and type of sling. This highlights that surgery is not a guaranteed fix and often involves significant postoperative challenges.
Incontinence surgery is not only financially costly but also disruptive to daily life. Patients often require weeks or months of recovery, during which they experience limitations on physical activity and may need catheterization to manage urinary retention. These lifestyle disruptions, along with the anxiety about complications, can add emotional stress on top of the existing physical burden.
The key takeaway is that the earlier you act, the better your chances of avoiding surgery altogether. Non-invasive treatments, such as pelvic floor exercises, physical therapy, or Elitone, can prevent the condition from progressing to the point where surgery is necessary. Early intervention not only reduces financial strain but also preserves your quality of life by keeping surgery as a last-resort option.
What is Elitone? A Conservative Treatment Option
For those who feel stuck between doing Kegels on their own and considering surgery, Elitone offers a non-invasive solution designed to bridge the gap. This easy-to-use pelvic floor stimulator helps strengthen muscles without requiring invasive procedures or regular doctor visits.
- Convenient 20-minute sessions, while doing other activities
- Worn externally under clothing, allowing for discreet use and movement
- Designed for early intervention, reducing the need for surgery later
Elitone overcomes the four most common causes of delayed treatment: it’s a non-invasive alternative to surgery, convenient, and designed to provide relief before symptoms worsen. With Elitone, you can regain control and freedom from incontinence by strengthening your pelvic floor.
It’s Never Too Late to Take Action
It’s never too late to seek treatment for incontinence, even if you’ve been coping for years. However, the earlier you act, the better your results will be, both physically and financially. It is not only cost-effective to address the issue today, but it will also help you live a more fulfilling, confident life in the future.
Conclusion: Act Now to Reclaim Your Life
Living with incontinence doesn’t mean settling for less. The cost of delaying treatment increases, the physical condition deteriorates, and more opportunities are lost. The good news is that conservative options can help you regain control without having to resort to invasive techniques.
If you act now, you’ll benefit from fewer expenses, freedom from worry, and a sense of confidence that will allow you to live your life fully. The choice you make today will benefit you in the future.
FAQs:
1. How long does it take to see results with Elitone?
Most users begin noticing improvements within a few weeks of regular use. However, individual results may vary based on the severity of the condition and consistency of treatment.
2. Will Elitone replace the need for pads?
With consistent use, Elitone can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, reducing the frequency and severity of leaks. Over time, many users are able to significantly reduce or eliminate their need for pads. Elitone URGE calms overactive bladder.
3. Can Elitone prevent the need for surgery?
Early intervention with Elitone strengthens pelvic muscles, reducing the chance of needing surgery later. Elitone URGE reduces the need for incontinence medications.
4. How does Elitone compare to Kegels?
While Kegel exercises are helpful, Elitone provides targeted stimulation for more effective muscle strengthening.
5. Is Elitone difficult to use?
No. Elitone is designed for convenience and ease, with sessions lasting only 20 minutes, allowing you to continue with daily activities.
References:
- NIH Research Matters. “The Hidden Costs of Managing Incontinence.” National Institutes of Health. Link
- Top five regrets of the dying | Life and style | guardian.co.uk
- Bronnie Ware. “Top Five Regrets of the Dying.” The Guardian. Link
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24456314/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18268289/
One Response
This is interesting and I will ask tge provider tge next time I go there. How much does this cost?