Tension-free Vaginal Tape (TVT)

Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) is a surgical procedure to help control stress incontinence. It is also known as transvaginal tape or sling suspension surgery. Stress incontinence is urine leakage that happens when you laugh, cough, sneeze, lift things, or exercise. TVT sling surgery helps close your urethra and bladder neck preventing further leakage. The bladder neck connects to the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to the outside.

If you have stress incontinence, there are a range of options including behavioral therapy, i.e. Bladder training, Bladder diary, Kegel exercises (Pelvic Floor exercises) medications, and some other options that should be considered before surgery.

Speak with your doctor beforehand, but if you’ve tried the above approaches and still have problems with urine leakage, your doctor may recommend TVT sling surgery.

Stress incontinence is caused by a weakening of the ligaments that support the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder), caused by having babies, and a general weakening with age.

A TVT procedure is an operation that helps women with stress incontinence by creating a sling to support the urethra and help close off the bladder neck.

This content should not substitute medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations/diagnosis or treatment.