Dr Nguyen Van Nhan, a urologist from France, is working at FV from 7^th to 23rd September 2024, to treat the secret suffering of patients with urinary incontinence (due to coughing, sneezing, or vigorous movement), nocturia, urgency incontinence or frequent urination.

Five years of silent suffering

For over five years, Ms Th. (51 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) lived with the burden of frequent urination, never experiencing a full night’s sleep and avoiding long trips with her children and grandchildren.

She endured this condition, believing it to be a “natural aging process that couldn’t be cured.” It wasn’t until the sleepless nights became unbearable and her daily life was significantly impacted that she sought help from a doctor.

Urologist Dr Nguyen Van Nhan –  from FV Hospital Urology and Andrology Department explained that, like many other female patients, Ms Th’s condition was due to the effects of aging and childbirth, which weakened her pelvic floor structure.

However, the patient couldn’t help but wonder why her condition hadn’t improved despite undergoing multiple treatments at various places. Dr Nhan clarified “Before coming to FV, some patients had sought treatment at several facilities without success. The reason is that previous diagnostic methods failed to identify the exact location of the pelvic floor damage, leading to ineffective treatment.”

For this condition, the best way to accurately diagnose the problem is through urodynamic testing. “This method allows the urologist to precisely assess the function of the pelvic floor, including the bladder, bladder neck, urethral sphincter, and the ability to control urination,” explained Dr Nhan. After identifying the exact cause, Dr Nhan successfully treated the patient using a gentle approach that combined physical therapy with medical treatment.

Men also experience similar conditions

Similar to Mrs Th’s case is that of Mr T.D., a 59-year-old from Hue, who suffered from frequent urination for many years. He was extremely frustrated with his condition, which left him “sleepless at night and exhausted during the day” due to needing to urinate 9 to 10 times each night and several more times during the day. The condition severely impacted his daily life and work.

Mr T.D. endured this difficult situation in silence until he happened to learn about Dr Nhan. He made a long journey to visit FV Hospital for a consultation. After a clinical examination and urodynamic testing using advanced equipment, a complete set of results was obtained, detailing bladder pressure, bladder neck contraction force, and the function of the urethral sphincter. With this comprehensive information, Dr Nhan accurately assessed the condition and prescribed medication for Mr T.D.

Two weeks later, Mr T.D. began to notice significant improvement, with the frequency of urination at night decreasing to just 4 or 5 times and during the day to only 2 or 3 times. In the following week of treatment, Dr Nhan conducted another urodynamic test to monitor the body’s response to the medication and adjusted the dosage accordingly. Within approximately 30 to 45 days, Mr T.D.’s urinary function returned to normal.

Advanced Techniques for Optimal Treatment Outcomes

The Urology and Andrology Department at FV Hospital is among the first in Vietnam to be equipped with state-of-the-art urodynamic testing equipment. When patients come to FV for treatment, they undergo a thorough examination following a comprehensive, step-by-step process that includes: clinical urological examination, ultrasound of the kidneys or pelvic area (abdominal, vaginal, or rectal), testing with dipsticks combined with complete urinalysis, and urodynamic testing. After obtaining the full results, the urologist will prescribe the appropriate treatment method based on the patient’s specific condition.

Additionally, for cases of urinary incontinence in older women, those who are overweight, postpartum, or postmenopausal, as well as having overactive bladder due to abnormal nervous system and bladder muscle activity leading to frequent night-time urination or urgency, Dr Nguyễn Văn Nhàn may recommend non-invasive, gentle, and comfortable pelvic floor muscle training using the QRS®-PelviCenter system.