An electrical device placed beneath the skin near the tailbone could be an alternative for those with urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.

The incontinence device is battery operated and can be described as a pulse generator that gives a continuous shock to the nerves that control the bladder.

The implant could be an alternative for those with urinary incontinence who run out of options with regards to treatments. There are few incontinence treatments that can claim to cure people with urinary incontinence and it is possible that implanted pulse generators will do just that.

But it is too early to establish this method as a reliable treatment for incontinence as results on the subject were considered of poor quality and difficult to assess.

On the subject, Dr. Edwin Arnold, at the department of urology at Christchurch Hospital, in New Zealand stated:

“For those who have tried all nonsurgical approaches – including bladder retraining, physiotherapy for the pelvic floor muscles and medications – yet the symptoms persist, it is worth discussing this option with your primary care doctor, who may refer you on to a urologist,”

And added:

“This treatment for incontinence is not for everyone and even if the operation is undertaken, it does not always work, so a patient’s expectations should remain realistic.”