Updated on March 17, 2026 by Ryan Koenig
Key Takeaways
1. Stress urinary incontinence affects up to 45% of women, and laser treatment can improve symptoms in just a few quick visits with no downtime.
2. Er:YAG and CO2 lasers stimulate collagen to strengthen pelvic support, with up to 94% of women reporting improvement.
3. Laser Service Solutions helps you add incontinence treatment with trusted pre-owned systems, flexible rentals, and expert repair support.
What Is Female Stress Incontinence?
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or female stress incontinence is when urine leaks out during everyday movements like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. It happens because the muscles and tissues that support your bladder have become weak – so when pressure builds up in your belly, the bladder can’t hold everything in.
It’s extremely common. An estimated 25% to 45% of women will deal with SUI at some point in their lives. Pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are the biggest reasons why. Carrying a baby and delivering vaginally can stretch out the pelvic floor. And as estrogen drops during menopause, the tissues around the urethra lose strength and flexibility.
Despite how widespread it is, many women never bring it up with their doctor. It can feel embarrassing, and some assume it’s just a normal part of getting older. But SUI is a medical condition – not something you simply have to live with. It affects daily activities, exercise, social life, and confidence.
How Can Lasers Treat Urinary Incontinence?
Laser therapy gives women a non-surgical way to treat mild to moderate SUI. Instead of going under the knife, a small laser device gently warms the tissue inside the vaginal wall. That warmth kick-starts your body’s own healing process.
Here’s what happens during and after treatment:
- The laser sends controlled heat into the vaginal tissue
- That heat signals your body to produce fresh collagen – the protein that keeps tissue firm and strong
- As new collagen builds up, the tissue tightens and thickens
- The tighter tissue gives your urethra and bladder better support
- With better support, there’s less leakage when you cough, laugh, sneeze, or exercise
The whole process is done in-office and takes about 15 to 30 minutes. There are no incisions and no real downtime. Most women feel only a mild warming sensation and go right back to their day afterward. A full course of treatment is usually two to three sessions, spaced about four to six weeks apart.
The results are promising. Results can vary, and some women may benefit from occasional maintenance sessions to keep things on track. Your provider can help you decide if laser therapy is the right fit for you.
Renting or Buying Laser Equipment: Which Option is Best?
Advantages of Laser Therapy for Urinary Incontinence
For many women, the biggest appeal of laser therapy is what it doesn’t involve. There’s no surgery, no hospital visit, and no long recovery. But there are several other reasons women are choosing this option over traditional treatments.
- It’s quick and easy. Each session takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and you can walk out of the office and get on with your day right after.
- No anesthesia needed. Most women feel only a gentle warming sensation during treatment. There are no needles, no sedation, and no numbing required.
- No incisions or stitches. The laser works through the tissue’s surface without any cutting, which means no wounds and no scarring.
- Very few side effects. Clinical studies have reported no major adverse events. Some women experience mild discomfort or light discharge for a day or two – and that’s about it.
- No downtime. Unlike surgery, which can mean weeks of restricted activity, laser therapy lets you return to work, exercise, and daily life right away.
- It fills a gap in treatment options. Many women find that Kegels and lifestyle changes aren’t enough, but they’re not ready for surgery either. Laser therapy gives them a middle ground that can make a real difference.
- It can improve quality of life beyond leakage. Because the laser stimulates collagen and tightens tissue, many women also report improvements in vaginal comfort and confidence.
Laser therapy won’t be the right choice for every woman. It works best for mild to moderate SUI, and results can fade over time without maintenance sessions. But for women who want real improvement without the risks of surgery, it’s an option worth exploring with their provider.
Laser Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence
There are two main types of lasers used to treat SUI. Both work by warming vaginal tissue to boost collagen production, but they go about it in slightly different ways.
Erbium:YAG Laser
The Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser uses a non-ablative approach, meaning it heats the tissue without removing or damaging the surface. It gently warms the deeper layers to trigger collagen growth and tissue tightening.
What patients can expect:
- Little to no discomfort during treatment – most describe a warm sensation
- No topical numbing or anesthesia needed
- Typically two to three sessions, four to six weeks apart
- Results that can last several months, with maintenance sessions as needed
One head-to-head study found that the Er:YAG laser was more effective than the CO2 laser at improving SUI symptoms at three months, regardless of how many sessions patients received.
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Laser
The fractional CO2 laser takes a slightly more aggressive approach. It creates tiny micro-injuries in the tissue surface, which triggers a stronger healing response and new collagen formation. This is called a “microablative” technique.
What patients can expect:
- A bit more sensation during treatment than the Er:YAG – some women report a brief stinging feeling
- Topical numbing may be used for comfort
- Usually three sessions, about four weeks apart
- Slightly longer recovery compared to Er:YAG, though still minimal
Which One Is Right for You?
Both lasers have shown positive results in clinical studies, and both are considered safe with very few reported side effects. The Er:YAG tends to be the more comfortable option with less recovery time, while the CO2 laser may produce a stronger tissue response.
The best choice depends on your symptoms, your comfort level, and what your provider recommends. A consultation is the best way to figure out which laser – and which treatment plan – makes the most sense for your situation.
Get Reliable Laser Systems That Help You Offer Incontinence Treatment With Confidence
Stress urinary incontinence affects millions of women, and many are looking for effective, non-surgical options that fall between Kegels and surgery. Offering laser treatment can meet that demand, but only if you have equipment you can trust and support you can count on.
We help you bring this service to your practice with fully serviced, tested laser systems that are ready to perform.
We work with leading brands like Cynosure, Candela, and Alma, giving you access to proven platforms without the high cost of buying new. Whether you want to purchase outright or start with a short-term rental, we give you flexible options that fit your budget and growth plans.
Here are your next three steps.
- Review your current patient demand for non-surgical SUI treatment and decide which laser platform fits your clinical goals.
- Evaluate whether purchasing or renting makes more sense based on your budget and projected treatment volume.
- Contact us to discuss available systems, pricing, and service plans tailored to your practice.
Add laser incontinence treatment with the right equipment and the right partner behind you. Reach out to us today and let us help you grow your practice with confidence.