Introduction
I have been struggling with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) since 1997, after my second child was born. It seems impossible I’ve dealt with this for nearly three decades, but without a cure, I have. I’ve also spent upwards of $15,000 trying to right this horrible wrong in my bladder section. I’ve tried everything from wearing tampons and pads daily; just to hold it all together, a mesh sling procedure in 2008 (did not work and pieces removed years later) and then in 2025, a Bulkamid hydrogel injection, for treatment of my urinary incontinence.
My latest and greatest urologist Dr. Lipika McCauley suggested a product to me that she’s been using for five years and had great success. It took me a while to decide to do Bulkamid Injections – I was just so nervous about the things that could go wrong. I tried to do research online but couldn’t find any “real people” reviews so I was just going off what my urologist was telling me. It took a year for me to decide to do it, but now, I’m really glad I did. To date, I’ve had two procedures and my results have been overwhelmingly positive. However, they were not without hiccups. So, I wanted to share my story for those out there searching for real case stories.
So Many Women Struggle with SUI
It was pretty shocking for me to learn more than 30% of women also struggle with life altering bladder leaks. I’ve felt so alone with my problem for so many years. It has altered my life considerably. My leakage was so bad I did not feel comfortable doing things like yoga class, camping, hiking, or even hanging out with friends for more than 4 hours as a time as I just felt like I started to smell like urine. I know that’ probably TMI, but I want to be really honest about my situation. Â
From the moment I left the shower daily, I leaked. I didn’t need to sneeze or laugh or twist or run. I really just had to be up-right for urine to be ready to spill. I had a pretty good system whereby I could keep myself clean for about four hours, then I needed a tampon and pad change and odor control cleaning. I preferred to shower at least 2 times a day. Every aspect of my life was changed by this. My husband and I always wanted to buy a motorhome and hit the road…with my problem there was noooo way I could make camper living a reality. Again, the problem was life altering. Â
My challenges of were affecting my every day life, social life and for sure my self-confidence. If you are struggling with this problem, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Bulkamid really helped me so let me tell you how.
What is Bulkamid?
Technically, Bulkamid is a urethral bulking agent (like a hydrogel) designed specifically for treating SUI. My Dr. explained to me that Bulkamid is a smooth, water-based gel that she injects into the wall of my urethra. The gel adds volume, which helps hold up the urethra wall, and prevents urine leakage during all my daily activities. The think I heard most was that she’s used Bulkamid on hundreds of women since roughtly 2021 and no one has had the gel fail yet.
She said the only thing that every happens is that the first injection is not quite enough so a few women have asked for a second treatment a few months after their first injection procedure.
She told me Bulkamid is a minimally invasive procedure involving a few injections of the gel and only takes 30 minutes. I would be under anesthesia in a surgery center and the recover is about 24 hours. It sounded almost too good to be true. But before I had the Bulkamid, I would need to get pieces of the mesh sling I had inserted years ago, and had moved around, removed. I had the mesh sling pieces removed in 2024 but it still took me a while to agree to the Bulkamid. I was scared. I didn’t want to put my body throught anything more horrible than what I was going through already with daily leakage and I was afraid of scar tissue and making matters worse.
I Tried To Do My Research
As I said, I tried to do internet research and just could not find real reviews and that was frustrating. But, I really wanted my life back so in Oct of 2025, I had my first Bulkamid injection.
My first hiccup happened immediately after the procedure in the surgery center. They told me I needed to be able to pee in order to be released. I tried over and over again, and my bladder was full and painful, but nothing would come out. Apparently, I had some swelling and just could not urinate yet. I had to have the nurses insert a foley catheter and send me home with that for 24 hours. Carrying around a urine bag was not expected but it was very short term. I came home, took a Aleve pill to help with swelling, and moved the foley myself the next day.
The first few days my pee stream was very tiny and slow. I’m sure it had to do with the swelling, but no one prepared me for this. It got better and better and after about two weeks, I was peeing normally. It just would have been nice to know this would happen, and I had not known about it in advance.
Does Bulkamid Work Right Away?
I had dramatic results with the Bulkamid injections. The first time I showered after the first injection, I remember getting out of the shower and after I toweled off, I still felt dry. I didn’t have to quickly put on underwear with a pad and tampon to feel try. I was no longer dripping urine. I was ecstatic. I did find that I had to war a panty liner throughout the day to stay dry but no more tampon. I felt like I was 85% better and I actually went to the gym, worked out, and was not paranoid that I reeked urine. I was on my way back!
How much does Bulkamid cost?
It was not cheap. My total surgery cost was just over $5,000 including my doctor’s fees, the surgery center and anesthesiologist.
Is Bulkamid Covered By Insurance?
Yes, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and my annual deductable is fairly high. But, in 2025, I did have a lot going on so by year end, I had met my deductible already. So, Blue Cross covered the entire surgery – thank goodness.
I have to say though, knowing what I know now, and how well Bulkamid works, I would have paid for it out of pocket just to get the relief I’ve gotten. I really began to get my life back.
Is Bulkamid Painful?
No, not at all. You don’t even feel it.
Is Bulkamid a Surgery?
For me, yes, it was. I went to a surgery center and was put under by an anesthesiologist. It was all very professional. I read a lot on line about Doctors doing this as an in-office procedure while patients are still awake. I don’t think I’d like that very much. I’d want to know I was in a surgery center and if anything went wrong, I’d immediately go to the hospital. But that is a discussussion you would have to have with your doctor, see how they inject Bulkamid and make your decision from there.
After my first procedure, I returned to my Dr. for a post op visit and told her the good news. I was 85% better and over the moon about it. She was happy for me too and asked if I’d like another procedure. To try to get me close to 99% better. I immediately said yes!
A few questions I asked her about the second go round were:
1. If she injects too much, can Bulkamid be removed? She told me no, it can not be removed.
I was mostly worried that I’d get too much and then not be able to pee afterward. She said even if that happened, she could not remove the extra Bulkamid but she could show me in her office how to use the foley catheter until I was able to urinate on my own again. That totally terrified me.
2. I also asked her if I could still insert a tampon again, should I need to – in case I was going somewhere all day and felt I needed extra protection. She just told me I could, after a few months of healing, but said our goal was to get me to never need that so hold on to that thought.
My Second Procedure
So, in Feb of 2026, I had my second Bulkamid Injection. This one did not go as smoothly as my first procedure. Not horrible, but not smooth either.
I went to the same surgery center, saw my lovely Doctor and reminded her to send me home with a Foley cathetar as I would need it, to be able to pee, until the swelling went down in my bladder region. I was having my second surgery on a Friday so she told me to go ahead and leave the catheter in until Monday – so if there was any problem I could reach her Monday in her office.
After my second procedure on a Friday in Feb 2026, I went home like before but this time I had some complicaitons. The catheter was not working and urine was not draining. It was very painful. Instead of urine draining into the tube, it was coming out the sides and I was basically wetting myself. But it was still quite painful. I ended up going to the Emergency room the next day and they flushed the tube for me. The did tell me small bit of Bulkamid gel dislodged and was stuci in the catheter, thereby blocking the flow. After the flush, it seemed better but it wasn’t.
As soon as I was home, the urine stopped going in the tube again and this time my urine was very bloody. I was scared. I didn’t want to go back the emergency room and my husband told me to just remove the catheter now. Afterall, the point of the catheter was to make sure urine was able to come out of me smoothly, after the procedure. It was coming out, just bypassing the catheter, so I knew I could safely remove it. So, I did.
Prior to my second surgery, my doctor said each Bulkamid injection session comes with 2 doses. In order to make sure I didn’t get too much on the second time around, she was going to insert dose #1 and see if was enough. But, after my surgery was over, she said she really felt I needed both doses, so she inserted dose #2 also.
I’m really glad she did. I am not leaking at all now. The second time was the charm. The only scary part was the Foley catheter. Knowing first that I needed it and then what to do when it was not working.
I will not say I am 99% cured but I am SO much better now that I feel like I have my life back. I can do anything I want to and never feel like I smell of urine. It’s been about 4 weeks since my second Bulkamid injection and I am simply happy as a clam.
So What are The Most Common Asked Bulkamid Questions?
So, can Bulkamid be repeated?
Yes, it absolutely can. My own body needed two doses in a 3 month period of time. It’s such a new product no one knows how long it will really last. But my doctor reports that she’s been injecting it for five years now and has not had to redo any of the procedures.
Can Bulkamid Be Reversed?
According to my doctor, no. She said once it’s injected, she can not reverse the procedure. That is why I think it is so important you have all the information before you decide to get a procedure.
How Long Can Bulkamid Last?
The jury is still out on that one but my doctor says she’s been doing the procedure on women since 2001 and in five years, no one has ever had the Bulkamid fail. The only thing that has happened, in women like myself with severe urinary incontinence, is that women have had a second does inserted a few months of the first procedure as they just need a bit more.
Can Bulkamid Fall Out?
I guess a bit can, after the initial injection. A bit of mind did and it clogged up my Foley catheter. I am told by my doctor, that over time, Bulkamid will shrink and can eventually fail. She simply has not had that happen to any of her patients after five years – so that to me is amazing.
Can Bulkamid Be Done In Office?
I read online where a lot of doctors do the procedure in office, while the patient is awake. I did not have this. I was in a surgery center, under anesthesia and that seemed like the right way to go to me.
Where is Bulkamid Injected?
It is injected into the wall of the urethra. The gel adds volume and simply put, helps hold up the urethra wall thereby preventing urine leakage overall.
Potential Risks and Considerations
While Bulkamid offers many benefits for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and it certainly helped me, it’s important to be aware there are potential risks and considerations to beware of. I did my research when Bulkamid was relatively new, and you will want to do the same for yourself and health. Please, please, please take the time to do your own research, be aware of any risks or side effects and then make an informed decision for yourself.
Possible Side Effects
Like any medical procedure, when I researched Bulkamid, it says it may come with some potential side effects. The most common side effects I found are:Â
I did experience this myself for maybe 48 hours.
I did have a bit of swelling and it was hard to pee at first. The pee stream is quite small and it can take a few minutes to fully urinate. But after a week or so, all the swelling went away. At first, I kept a bladder catheter in – for about a day, just to make sure I could pee on my own. I was able to take this out, at home, myself, about a day after the Bulkamid surgery.
Conclusion
For me, Bulkamid is a winner. I was struggling with SUI and looking for a solution for nearly thirty years. Bulkamid has saved my world and at this point, I’ve had two treatments. It was minimally invasive with a quick procedure time and a short recovery period. I was back to my normal life in 48 hours and swimming again after a week. I hope it might help you, as it has me, regain control over your daily life.
Of course, consult with your own doctors and make sure it is right for you. You need to have all the right information in order to decide what is best for you and your body. I hope my real life study can help you in your decision.
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