I. Understanding OAB & Sacral Neuromodulation

Overactive bladder (OAB) involves urgency (a sudden, hard-to-control need to urinate), frequency (>8 times/day), and sometimes urge leakage. Symptoms arise when the bladder muscle contracts at the wrong time. OAB impacts confidence, sleep, work, intimacy, and social life. For people who do not respond to lifestyle changes or medications, Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM) is a reversible, minimally invasive therapy with a long track record. Medtronic’s InterStim systems were FDA-cleared for bladder indications in the late 1990s and have since helped hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide.

II. How InterStim Works: Repairing the Signal Pathway

OAB often stems from miscommunication between the brain and the sacral nerves that control the bladder. InterStim sends gentle electrical pulses to these nerves, helping normalize reflexes and signaling so the bladder functions more appropriately. Many clinicians consider this a way to address the functional root cause of OAB — the misfiring signals — rather than just treating symptoms.

The InterStim Trial (“Test Run”)

Before a permanent implant, you complete a short trial phase. If your symptoms improve (often defined as a ≥50% reduction), you and your clinician can choose to move forward. If not, the leads are removed and you can explore other options. This patient-validated step reduces risk and supports a confident decision.

III. Benefits vs. Daily Medications

Fewer side effects: Avoids dry mouth, constipation, and other medication downsides.
No daily pills: Helps many patients stop OAB medications after successful therapy.
Higher satisfaction: Studies report greater symptom control and quality-of-life gains with SNM compared with pills.
Long-term value: Reduces ongoing pharmacy costs and monitoring burden.

IV. Device Options, Longevity & Convenience

InterStim offers rechargeable and recharge-free systems to match your lifestyle. Longer battery life means fewer replacement procedures. MRI-conditional models allow full-body scanning under specific conditions.

Device	Battery Type	Stated Longevity	Recharging	Approx. Size	MRI Compatibility
InterStim™ Micro	Rechargeable	Up to ~15 years (typical settings)	About weekly; ~20 minutes (full in <1 hour)	~2.8 cm³	1.5T & 3T SureScan™ (full-body)
InterStim™ X	Recharge-free	Over 10 years (up to ~15 years at low energy)	None	Small implantable generator	1.5T & 3T SureScan™ (full-body)

Your care team will help you choose between rechargeable and recharge-free systems based on lifestyle and clinical needs.

V. Outcomes that Matter

InterStim has decades of real-world use with strong results in clinical studies. Reported benefits include:

High therapeutic success rates maintained over years (1, 3, and 5-year data reported).
Fewer daily leaks and fewer trips to the bathroom.
More patients dry (completely continent) compared with medications in some studies.
Quality of life improvements that are both statistically and clinically meaningful.

Measure	Timepoint	Reported Result
Therapeutic success	12 months	High success rates reported in trials
Therapeutic success	36 months	Strong sustained efficacy
Therapeutic success	60 months	Long-term benefit in many patients
Quality of life	6–60 months	Significant improvements vs. baseline; greater than medications in head-to-head studies

Individual results vary. Your trial phase helps predict your personal benefit before choosing a permanent implant.

VI. Better Sleep, Better Health

Nighttime urination (nocturia) disrupts sleep and can affect long-term health. By improving OAB symptoms, InterStim may help you sleep longer stretches at night — supporting daytime energy, mood, and overall wellness.

VII. InterStim in the SNM Landscape

InterStim and Axonics are the two leading SNM platforms. InterStim combines decades of clinical use with modern options (Micro and X) and MRI-conditional systems. Your provider will discuss what best fits your goals and anatomy.

VIII. Next Step

If you’re seeking lasting relief from OAB symptoms after trying conservative options or medications, InterStim may be a strong next step — especially with its trial phase to confirm benefit before committing.

Schedule Now

We’ll review your history, discuss the evaluation (trial), and help you choose the best device option for your life.

FAQs

Am I a candidate?

Adults with persistent OAB symptoms (urgency, frequency, urge leakage) after trying conservative measures and medications may be candidates. Your anatomy and goals will be reviewed to confirm.

What happens during the trial?

A temporary lead is placed to stimulate the sacral nerve. You go home and track your symptoms for several days. If you see meaningful improvement, you may opt for a long-term implant.

Will I still need medications?

Many patients reduce or stop OAB medications after successful SNM, but your care plan is individualized.

Is it MRI-compatible?

Yes — InterStim systems with SureScan™ technology allow full-body MRI scans under specific conditions. Your team will review details.