Involuntary leaking of urine – when coughing, sneezing, lifting something heavy or with a sudden strong urge – affects many women after childbirth and during the menopause, as well as men after prostate surgery. The problem is rarely dangerous, but it restricts daily life, sleep and social life, and most patients put off talking to a doctor for years.
Magnetic therapy (extracorporeal magnetic stimulation) is a non-invasive method of strengthening the pelvic floor. A pulsed magnetic field from a coil in the seat of a special chair causes rhythmic contractions of the muscles around the bladder and urethra and acts on the nerves that control the bladder. Put simply – the muscles do the training for you while you sit fully clothed.
When it is recommended
Dr Penev offers magnetic therapy for:
- mild to moderate stress incontinence – leaking with physical effort;
- urge incontinence and overactive bladder – sudden urges that are hard to hold, including at night;
- mixed incontinence;
- leaking urine in men after prostate surgery;
- a weakened pelvic floor after childbirth, especially when Kegel exercises are not working.
The method must not be used if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic devices, metal implants in the pelvis or hip joints (except after individual assessment), are pregnant, have an active urinary infection or cancer in the pelvic area. It is not suitable for overflow incontinence – when the bladder cannot empty, the cause is treated in a different way.
If leaking comes with a full, painful bladder and you cannot pass urine, go to an emergency department straight away or call 112 (the European emergency number). Painless blood in the urine also needs a prompt urological examination.
What happens
You sit on the therapy chair fully clothed. Dr Penev sets the frequency and strength of the pulses according to the type of incontinence and how well you tolerate them. You feel light tapping, vibration and rhythmic tightening in the pelvic floor – without pain. One session lasts about 20–30 minutes.
The course usually includes 8 to 16 sessions, two or three times a week. Alongside it, Dr Penev recommends bladder training, less coffee and fizzy drinks, weight control and treating constipation, and for an overactive bladder, medicines if needed.
Preparation
Therapy starts once the type and cause of the incontinence have been established: a conversation about your symptoms, a bladder diary for two or three days, a urine test, an ultrasound scan with residual urine measurement and, if needed, uroflowmetry. Before each session, empty your bladder and remove your phone, keys, bank cards, belt and jewellery. Tell the doctor about any implants, a possible pregnancy and the medicines you take.
After the procedure / Results
Straight after the session you return to your usual activities. The effect builds up gradually and is tracked through your diary and the number of pads you use – in many patients the leaks become less frequent and the urges easier to manage. Data on how long the effect lasts are limited, so after the course it is important to continue with active exercises and, if needed, to have a maintenance series. If the improvement is not enough, Dr Penev will discuss medicines or surgical treatment at Kaspela University Hospital (UMBAL Kaspela), Plovdiv, with you.
Where it is done
Magnetic therapy is carried out by appointment at Dr Penev’s urology practice in Plovdiv, 5 Anri Barbyus St, depending on the equipment available and the indications. Patients from Karlovo can have the initial consultation at Vita Med Medical Centre, Karlovo, and plan the sessions in Plovdiv.
Price
Initial consultation €50, follow-up consultation €30. The price of a course of magnetic therapy depends on the number of sessions and is confirmed when you book.
Leaking urine is a treatable condition, not an unavoidable part of getting older or of motherhood. Book an appointment with Dr Penev – after an examination he will determine the type of incontinence and whether magnetic therapy is the right solution for you.
Frequently asked questions
Does magnetic therapy have side effects?
The method is non-invasive and side effects are rare – mild muscle tiredness or a brief feeling of heaviness in the pelvis after the first sessions. You do not need to rest and you can drive straight after the procedure.
Can it be done if I have a metal joint or a pacemaker?
The method must not be used if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic devices. With metal implants in the pelvis or hip joints the procedure is usually not used; the decision is made individually after a consultation with Dr Penev.
Does magnetic therapy replace Kegel exercises?
It is especially useful for people who cannot tighten their pelvic floor correctly on their own, because it produces the contractions for them. The longest-lasting results, however, come when you continue with active exercises after the course.
Is it suitable for men after prostate surgery?
Yes, leaking urine after radical prostatectomy is one of its main uses. The course usually starts a few weeks after the catheter is removed, once the tissues have healed, and is combined with pelvic floor exercises.
Does it help with a prolapsed womb or bladder?
With a mild prolapse, strengthening the pelvic floor can reduce leakage and the feeling of heaviness. With an advanced prolapse, magnetic therapy is not enough and Dr Penev will refer you to a gynaecologist or for surgical treatment.
The information on this website is for general education and does not replace an examination and consultation with a doctor. If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical help immediately or call 112.