The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT)
SURGICAL TREATMENT TO HELP INCONTINENCE
Surgery to help when the muscles that support your bladder, sphincter, vagina or back passage become weak
What is TVT?
Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) is a surgical treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence.
It is usually not considered suitable for women considering having children or for women with other conditions like a cystocele or a vaginal prolapse.
Need to know
During the procedure, tape is inserted through a small incision in the vaginal wall. It lies between the vagina and the urethra, supporting the middle of the urethra. Each end of the tape is threaded through two small holes on the abdomen just above the pubic bone. This support reduces the effect of any sudden increase in abdominal pressure such as coughing or sneezing that can cause stress incontinence. You may need to have a catheter (small tube) inserted into your bladder to help you pass urine.
Your consultant will tell you how best to prepare for this procedure.
You should experience minimal pain after surgery. Our staff will be on hand to administer pain relief medication should you need it. Since the procedure is often performed as day surgery, you should be able to go home on the same day as treatment, unless you had a catheter inserted. In this instance your catheter will be removed the day after your procedure. A nurse will check that your bladder is emptying urine correctly after this time. You will not be able to have sex for four to six weeks following treatment.
Our Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.