What is InterStim?

InterStim Therapy is a proven neuromodulation therapy that targets the communication problem between the brain and the nerves that control the bladder. If those nerves are not communicating correctly, the bladder will not function properly.

After talking with your doctor to see if InterStim therapy is right for you, you may decide to try InterStim Therapy by going through an evaluation. Based on the outcome of the evaluation, you and your doctor will determine the next steps for your treatment.

InterStim Therapy was created by Medtronic, and over 100,000 people worldwide have received InterStim Therapy. It has been FDA-approved since 1997 for urge incontinence and since 1999 for urinary retention and urgency-frequency. InterStim Therapy is not intended for patients with a urinary blockage.

Medicare and many other private insurance companies cover InterStim Therapy

Are you currently using Interstim? Has it stopped working?

It's possible the battery may need to be replaced. The batteries last a long time - usually about 5 years – but they don't last forever. Your device simply may need to have a battery replacement to start working again. 

Even if you did not have your InterStim device implanted at Minnesota Women's Care, we can provide maintenance. If it is no longer working and needs a battery replacement, just call for an appointment. We can help. Ask for Dr. Ashford, Rachel Tank (UROGYN DNP), or Rachel Warnsholz (UROGYN PA-C). Call 651-600-3035.


Step 1:
Medtronic InterStim Therapy Evaluation

If you've tried several treatments for bladder control problems without success, don't lose hope. Medtronic InterStim Therapy may be an option for you.

With InterStim Therapy's two-step process, you can test it out to see if it will work for you before making a long-term commitment. The testing period is called an "evaluation" or a "trial assessment."

Your doctor will discuss the evaluation procedure with you and the options for using either a temporary lead (a thin wire) or long-term lead for the evaluation.

How Will I Know If InterStim Therapy Works for Me?

You and your doctor will decide together whether your evaluation was successful. The evaluation is considered a success if you experience a significant reduction in your symptoms.

For example, your evaluation may be considered a success if you went to the bathroom 20 times per day before the evaluation and went 10 or fewer times per day during the evaluation.

Step 2:
Long-term InterStim Therapy

If you experience a significant reduction in your bladder control symptoms during the evaluation, you and your doctor can discuss long-term InterStim Therapy. InterStim Therapy is an FDA-approved treatment that has been shown to be safe and effective for men and women who have not had success with other treatments.

For long-term InterStim Therapy, the neurostimulator is placed under the skin of your upper buttock, above where you sit and below your waistline. The lead (thin wire) goes from the neurostimulator to a sacral nerve, located near the tailbone.

Interested in learning more about InterStim® Therapy? Click on the image below to download a PowerPoint presentation that answers many questions. (Or click to download the presentation here.)

Feel free to contact our office for an appointment to discuss InterStim and whether it's right for you.