Real Answers About Axonics Therapy Side Effects: From Specialists Who Do This Every Day
If you’ve been recommended Axonics Therapy for overactive bladder, urge incontinence, or fecal incontinence, it’s completely natural to want to understand what to expect from the procedure, including any side effects. This post covers what the clinical evidence shows about Axonics Therapy side effects, how the trial phase differs from the permanent implant experience, and what to watch for after your procedure. Incontinence Centers of America specializes exclusively in bladder and bowel conditions, and helping patients understand exactly what they’re considering is a core part of the care we provide.
The Short Answer: Most Axonics Therapy Patients Experience Minimal Side Effects
Before diving into the details, here is the direct answer most patients are looking for: the side effects associated with Axonics Therapy are generally mild, and serious complications are uncommon. In a 2-year clinical study published in Neurourology and Urodynamics (2021), fewer than 2% of Axonics patients reported discomfort from the implant itself. In that same study, 93% of patients achieved clinically significant improvements, and 94% reported satisfaction with the therapy.
In the context of an implantable medical device, side effects refer to any unintended physical responses that can occur during or after implantation, from temporary discomfort at the incision site to changes in how the stimulation sensation feels over time. Axonics Therapy is an FDA-cleared sacral neuromodulation device, and its safety profile has been established through rigorous clinical trials. That said, every patient’s experience is individual, and knowing what the data shows helps you have a more informed conversation with your care team.
Wondering if you’re a candidate? Take our 4-question candidacy evaluation on our homepage, it takes under two minutes.
What Are the Most Commonly Reported Axonics Therapy Side Effects?
The most frequently reported side effect in Axonics clinical literature is temporary discomfort or mild pain at the implant site. This typically occurs in the period following the implantation procedure as the body adjusts to the presence of the device. In the Neurourology and Urodynamics 2021 study, this type of discomfort was reported in fewer than 2% of patients, meaning the large majority of patients did not find it to be a significant issue.
Beyond implant site discomfort, patients may notice sensation changes in the pelvic region. These can include a mild tingling or stimulation feeling, which is a normal and expected part of how sacral neuromodulation works. The device delivers gentle electrical impulses through a sacral lead to the sacral nerves, which in turn influence communication between the brain and the bladder or bowel. For most patients, this sensation becomes familiar and unremarkable over time.
One rare event noted in sacral neuromodulation clinical literature is lead migration, which refers to the sacral lead shifting position after implantation. This is uncommon, but it is documented. If lead migration occurs, it can affect how well the therapy works and may require evaluation by the care team. The occurrence of lead migration has been one area of ongoing device refinement in sacral nerve stimulation technology generally.
Axonics Therapy is also MRI-compatible, which is a meaningful design feature compared to older sacral nerve stimulator technology. Patients who may need MRI imaging in the future do not have to choose between ongoing therapy and necessary diagnostic imaging.
Questions about side effects are reasonable and worth taking seriously. The available clinical data offers meaningful reassurance, but patients evaluating this therapy deserve the full picture, not just the positive headlines.
What's the Difference Between the Trial Phase and the Permanent Implant?
One source of confusion for patients researching Axonics Therapy side effects is that the procedure involves two distinct phases, each with a different patient experience.
The first is the trial stimulation phase, during which an external device and temporary lead are used to evaluate how well sacral neuromodulation works for you specifically. During this phase, the stimulator is worn externally. Patients may notice more variable sensations during the trial period as settings are adjusted and the body responds to a new stimulus. Some mild discomfort or skin irritation at the temporary lead site can occur during this phase.
The second is the permanent implant phase, which follows only if the trial phase demonstrates meaningful improvement. The permanent implantable pulse generator is small and placed beneath the skin, where it is no longer external. Many patients report that the sensation during the permanent phase feels more stable and less noticeable than during the trial.
The trial phase exists specifically so that patients can evaluate the therapy firsthand before committing to permanent implantation. This structure directly addresses one of the most common concerns about any implantable device: the fear of making an irreversible decision. The trial is designed to take that pressure off and put the decision in the patient’s hands.
Side Effects vs. Signs Something Needs Attention: How to Tell the Difference
Not every unusual sensation after Axonics Therapy represents a complication, but knowing the difference between what is expected and what warrants a call to your care team is genuinely useful.
In general, mild stimulation sensations, occasional temporary discomfort at the implant site in the weeks following the procedure, and a period of adjustment as settings are optimized are all part of the expected recovery arc for most patients. These are typically temporary and improve as the body adapts to the implant.
Signs that should prompt a call to your care team include: persistent or worsening pain at the implant site that does not improve over time, changes in stimulation sensation that feel sudden or different from your established baseline, any signs of infection near the implant site such as redness, warmth, or discharge, or a noticeable change in how well the therapy is controlling your symptoms. None of these scenarios are cause for alarm on their own, but they are all appropriate reasons to reach out.
The care team at Incontinence Centers of America is available to help with post-procedure questions, whether you have a specific concern or simply want reassurance that what you’re experiencing is normal. Reaching out is always appropriate, that is what the care team is there for.
Have questions about your symptoms or your candidacy? Our team at Incontinence Centers of America is here to help. Most major insurers are accepted, including Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Medicare, and United Healthcare.
What Do Long-Term Axonics Therapy Outcomes Look Like?
Understanding side effects is one part of evaluating any medical therapy. The other part is understanding whether the therapy works, and what the evidence shows over the long term.
The 2-year clinical data published in Neurourology and Urodynamics (2021) provides a meaningful picture. Ninety-three percent of patients achieved clinically significant improvements in their bladder or bowel control symptoms, and 94% reported satisfaction with the therapy at the 2-year mark. These figures represent a consistent and well-documented outcome across a substantial patient population, not a best-case scenario.
Axonics Therapy is FDA-cleared, and its clinical evidence base continues to grow. For patients who have tried conservative treatments without sufficient relief, the risk-to-benefit picture that these outcomes represent is worth discussing directly with a specialist.
Incontinence Centers of America serves patients across Colorado from three locations in Englewood, Lone Tree, and Colorado Springs. Our practice is dedicated entirely to bladder and bowel conditions, which means every aspect of the care we provide, including helping patients evaluate Axonics Therapy, is focused on this specific area of medicine.
FAQ: Axonics Therapy Side Effects, Patient Questions Answered
What are the most common side effects of Axonics Therapy?
Is Axonics Therapy safe?
How long do Axonics Therapy side effects last?
Can Axonics Therapy be removed if I experience side effects?
What should I do if I experience discomfort after Axonics Therapy?
Axonics Therapy has a strong clinical safety record, and questions about side effects are a normal and important part of evaluating any implantable device. The data is reassuring, but the most useful thing you can do is discuss your specific situation with bladder and bowel specialists who work with this therapy regularly.
If you are considering Axonics Therapy and want to know whether you are a candidate, start with our 4-question candidacy evaluation. It takes under two minutes and is the first step toward finding out if this therapy is right for you.
