Fowler’s Syndrome

Fowler’s Syndrome

Fowler’s Syndrome typical affects women who infrequently pass urine with an intermittent stream. The normal sensation of urinary urgency expected with a full bladder are not present but as the bladder reaches capacity there may be pain and discomfort, and she finds that she is not able to pass urine.

Some women may experience back pain, suprapubic pain (pain over the bladder) or dysuria (discomfort/burning whilst passing urine) due to urinary infections.

Classically, the woman presents to the hospital as they have been unable to pass urine for many hours and a catheter (tube that drains the bladder) is inserted, and usually over a litre is drained with consequent relief of the pain.

Fowler’s Syndrome can be a disabling condition. 50% of women with Fowler’s Syndrome suffer from unexplained chronic pain, including chronic abdominopelvic, back, leg, or widespread pain.

What Are the Causes?

Women with Fowler’s Syndrome can suffer lifelong with debilitating effects on quality of life. Most of the patients reveal a trigger medical event in their history, such as gynaecological surgery or other surgical procedures, childbirth, and acute medical conditions.

Treatments

The treatments for Fowler’s Syndrome are currently being researched and developed.  Although, there are some limited options available, but they depend on the severity of the condition.

Most commonly patients tend to have a poor urine stream but can still go to the toilet almost normally. These patients will have their residual volume monitored and if it’s found to be low, no intervention is necessary. Pelvic floor muscle physiotherapy can offer the best patient-tailored treatment.

Some patients have a large residual volume which can cause urinary infections and a large bladder. These patients can manage their condition with regular intermittent catheterisation. This involves putting a sterile catheter into the bladder at regular intervals to empty the bladder.

Sacral neuromodulation is the only surgical intervention to restore an atypical voiding pattern in women with Fowler’s syndrome. The therapeutic effectiveness exceeds 70%, although the revision rate is relatively high, exceeding 50%.

Get in Touch

If you have been diagnosed with Fowlers Syndrome following gynaecological or urological treatment then contact Dr Victoria Handley today on 0800 470 2009 or email vhandley@handleylaw.co.uk