Sasha Vereecken on candidates for investigational Adjustable Continence Therapy for SUI

Sasha Vereecken, Reconstructive and functional urology research fellow, University of Colorado, presented updated findings from a prospective chart review at the 2026 International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) annual meeting. The study evaluated Adjustable Continence Therapy (ACT), an investigational periurethral balloon implant, for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

The analysis included 14 patients with a mean age of 67 years and a mean BMI of 26.7. Notably, 12 of the 14 patients had previously failed sling surgery. Following ACT implantation, median pad use decreased from 5.8 to 2.5 pads per day ($P < 0.05$) and median pad weight dropped from 88.6g to 2.0g ($P < 0.001$). Beyond physical metrics, median sexual worry scores improved from 2 (mild worry) to 5 (no worry) at 12 months ($P < 0.05$).

“We observed that improvements in incontinence were associated with reductions in sexual worry and distress,” said Vereecken. “These findings really highlight that continence restoration has something so much broader. You know, it’s the psychosocial benefit beyond the physical symptom relief—alleviating anxiety, improving relationships, emotional health.”

The ACT system consists of adjustable balloons placed periurethrally, with volumes modified every 4–6 weeks post-implantation. In this cohort, 13 patients retained their devices with a median volume of 2.4mL. Vereecken highlighted the system’s adjustability as a primary clinical advantage over static treatments like mesh or bulking agents.

WATCH MORE: Sasha Vereecken highlights Adjustable Continence Therapy data for stress urinary incontinence

“What sets apart the ACT from other devices... is that it can be completely removed,” Vereecken said. “If you want to come back in a few more years and you find yourself not as continent as you once were, we are able to adjust the device.”

Regarding safety, Vereecken noted the procedure was well tolerated. While device-related issues such as migration or erosion can occur, she emphasized that these complications were manageable in an office setting without requiring a return to the operating room.

Vereecken suggested ACT may serve as a critical alternative for patients with mesh hesitancy or those who are not candidates for further reconstructive surgery. “This device has great potential in the space for those with recurrent or persistent symptoms after prior surgical interventions,” she said. “Importantly, this reinforces the need to incorporate sexual health assessments into routine evaluation of the treatment outcomes of stress urinary incontinence.”

Reference:

Vereecken S, Flynn B, Doersch K, Hou V, Sun, H, Chaudhary, A. Adjustable Continence Therapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women: Clinical Outcomes and Impact on Sexual Function. Abstract. Presented at: ISSWSH 2026. February 12-15, 2026. Long Beach, California.