(08) 9722 1975

SJOG Bunbury Medical Centre, Suite 1, Corner Bussell Hwy and Robertson Dr Bunbury WA 6230

Incontinence Bunbury

Sacral neuromodulation: restoring bowel control

One in three women and one in ten men experience bladder or bowel control issues. Struggling to start, control, or complete your bladder or bowel movements is more common than you might think.

Does this sound familiar?

You rush to the toilet, worrying you might not make it in time.
You avoid socialising or traveling because you’re worried about finding a bathroom in time.
You carry spare clothes or wear pads in case of an accident.
Your sleep is disrupted from waking frequently at night to use the bathroom, which leaves you exhausted during the day.

If you can relate to any of these experiences, you’re not alone. Living with incontinence can be distressing, but understanding your symptoms is the first step toward effective treatment.

What is sacral neuromodulation?

Sacral neuromodulation is a treatment we use to help you manage bowel control issues. It works by using a small device that we implant under the skin to send gentle electrical signals to the nerves near your tailbone. These signals help your brain and the nerves controlling your bladder or bowel communicate better, improving how everything works together.

“If other treatments like exercises, medications, or lifestyle changes haven’t worked, this therapy can make a real difference to quality of life. It’s designed to give you more control and help you get back to living life without constant worries about finding a bathroom or having accidents.”

Dr Xavier Harvey – Surgeon, Member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand

How does it work?

The process begins with a test phase. We place a temporary device so you can see if it helps with your symptoms. If it works well, we move on to implanting the permanent device. The procedure is minimally invasive, and most people recover quickly.

The permanent device is a small, pacemaker-like device under the skin of your upper buttock. This device sends mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves, which control your bladder and bowel function. These pulses help restore the communication between your brian, the spinal cord and the pelvic organs (pelvic floor, rectum and bladder) which help keep you continent.

Why might sacral neuromodulation be right for you?

If you’ve been living with the constant worry of accidents or urgently needing a bathroom and other treatments haven’t helped, this therapy can be life-changing. It’s a proven option for both urinary and faecal incontinence, especially when more conservative approaches haven’t worked.

This isn’t just about managing symptoms – it’s about improving your everyday life. With better control, you can enjoy outings, socialise without worry, and even sleep better at night.

What can you expect?

We start with a chat to understand your symptoms and what you’ve tried so far. It is important that an experienced pelvic floor physiotherapist is also involved in your care. If we agree that sacral neuromodulation might help, we move to a test phase.

“If the trial is successful, we can move forward to arrange placing the permanent device. This is a minor procedure and recovery is usually quick. We’ll guide you through every step, from preparation to follow-up, to make sure you feel supported and confident.”

Dr Xavier Harvey – Surgeon, Member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand

Have questions or are you ready to schedule your appointment? Contacting us is easy:

Give us a call: Reach out to our friendly team at (08) 9722 1975 to discuss your needs, ask any questions, or book an appointment.

Visiting us? Our map shows where you can find us in Bunbury.

South West Colorectal Surgery

Suite 1, Medical Centre St John of God Bunbury Hospital
Cnr Bussell Hwy and Robertson Dr
Bunbury WA 6230