Virtue® Male Sling: Reclaim control

Available for the treatment of any level of bothersome stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the Virtue male sling allows you to take back control of your body and the lifestyle you want to live.

Immediate results

The Virtue male sling is a device placed inside the body to prevent accidental urine leakage at times of increased pressure on the bladder such as coughing, laughing, or lifting/exercising.¹ Prostate removal causes the urethra (the tube that connects to the bladder to carry urine outside of the body) to lose some of its support, causing involuntary leakage, or incontinence.² The Virtue male sling addresses this by restoring the urethra to its pre-prostatectomy position. Unlike other male slings that offer only lifting, the Virtue male sling offers both lifting and compression of the urethra, giving you two mechanisms to protect you from incontinence.³

There is no action required for the device to function and immediate continence is available following the procedure.^1,4

Why choose a male sling?

1

Offers a long-term solution for incontinence¹,
not just management of your stress incontinence.

2

Less invasive and more discreet¹,
than the AUS device and no manual intervention needed to urinate.

3

Your incontinence is costing you daily⁵,
both in time and in money. Using 5 pads per day over a period of 3 years may cost up to $4,000.

4

Enjoy the active lifestyle⁶
you had before without fear of leaking, once you have completed the healing process.

5

Immediate incontinence⁴,
(dryness) post-procedure.

6

No action required to use device^7,9
unlike the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), the male sling is not a mechanical device that requires action to urinate. In fact, when given the choice between a male sling or AUS, 92% of patients chose a male sling due to the opportunity to avoid using a mechanical device.

Why choose the Virtue male sling?

In a study completed reviewing post-prostatectomy patients with the Virtue male sling, at 12 months post-procedure, all patients in the study used 1 pad/day at most and were satisfied with the outcome of the procedure. Upon following up with the patients at 36 months, patients remained satisfied and still used 1 pad/day at most.⁸

of patients with the Virtue male sling reported very much or much improvement at 6 months¹

patient satisfaction rate⁶

Frequently asked questions

When should I call a doctor about my incontinence?

If your incontinence is bothersome and is impacting the lifestyle you want to live, it’s time to contact a physician. You may be leaking urine unexpectedly, whether it is a few drops or wet clothing. You may leak urine continuously throughout the day and it has caused you to change your lifestyle. A physician can help you understand your options and find a treatment that will work for you.

Do I need to operate the male sling for it to work?

No! Continence is available immediately following the procedure and there is no action needed to use the device.^1,4

What is the difference between the Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) and the male sling?

Both the AUS and male sling are devices that offer treatment for stress urinary incontinence and are placed completely inside the body during a surgical procedure. There is no manual intervention required to use the male sling. For the AUS, to urinate, a pump in the scrotum must be pressed and there is some action required to use the device.⁹

What can I expect during recovery?

Everyone is different and recovery times vary. After the male sling procedure, your physician will provide specific instructions prior to your discharge that should be followed. Physical strain (for example, squatting, stepping into a vehicle, exercise), sexual intercourse and heavy lifting should be avoided post-surgery. You can resume normal activities after receiving clearance from your physician. It is common to experience swelling and pain post operatively. If pain does not go away or there are signs of infection or bleeding, it is important to contact your doctor.

Are male slings covered by insurance?

Cost and insurance coverage can vary based on many factors. Your physician’s office and your insurance carrier can help you determine your actual cost. Additionally, you can call 855-230-7611 to speak to one of our insurance specialists to determine if male slings are included in your insurance policy.

Will the male sling interfere with equipment such as an MRI machine or airport security?

The Virtue male sling is made of polypropylene, which does not interfere with equipment such as MRI machines or airport security. It can be safely scanned by an MRI machine and standard airport security equipment.

How is the male sling implanted and how does it work in the body?

The male sling is implanted through a surgical procedure. After your prostate has been removed, it causes weakening and opening of the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder to carry urine outside the body. The Virtue male sling addresses this by offering lifting and compression to the urethra to prevent accidental urination.^1,2,3

Cost matters, but you have options

Incontinence treatment is generally covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare. Whether you’re fully covered or will be paying out of pocket, it’s important to understand your options.

Explore payment and insurance options

Tony, Virtue Male Sling Recipient and Patient Educator

Talk to someone who has a Virtue male sling

If you’d like to talk to someone who has the Virtue male sling, schedule time to meet with a Patient Educator. These men and their partners have taken back control with a male sling – and they’re ready to share their experiences with you.

Schedule a call

Find a local doctor

If you are ready to talk to a doctor about the possibility of receiving a male sling, use our physician directory to find a qualified urologist specializing in SUI near you.

Find a physician

Hear from guys who know

As you explore SUI solutions that may include a male sling, there’s nothing like real stories from real guys who have been there. Their experiences show that you really can take full control over the life you want to live.

Explore patient stories

References

1 Data on file at Coloplast.

2 Tsikis ST, Nottingham CU, Faris SF. The Relationship Between Incontinence and Erectile Dysfunction After Robotic Prostatectomy: Are They Mutually Exclusive? J Sex Med. 2017 Oct;14(10):1241-1247.

3 Comiter CV, Nitti V, Elliot C, Rhee E. A new quadratic sling for male stress incontinence: retrograde leak point pressure as a measure of urethral resistance. J Urol. 2012 Feb;187(2):563-8.

4 Welk BK, Herschorn S. The male sling for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a review of contemporary sling designs and outcomes. BJU Int. 2012 Feb;109(3):328-44.

5 Fresh Protection™ Underwear for Men – Maximum. Depends. https://www.na.depend.com/en-us/incontinence-products/men/fit-flex-underwear. Accessed July 2023.

6 Abramowitz D, Sam AP, Pachorek M, Shen J, Ruel N, Warner JN. Virtue male sling outcomes and application to a contemporary nomogram. Can J Urol. 2021 Apr;28(2):10625-10630.

7 Kumar A, Litt ER, Ballert KN, Nitti VW. Artificial urinary sphincter versus male sling for post-prostatectomy incontinence–what do patients choose? J Urol. 2009 Mar;181(3):1231-5.

8 Ferro M, Bottero D, D’Elia C, Matei DV, Cioffi A, Cozzi G, Serino A, Cordima G, Bianchi R, Incarbone PG, Brescia A, Musi G, Fusco F, Detti S, Mirone V, de Cobelli O. Virtue male sling for post-prostatectomy stress incontinence: a prospective evaluation and mid-term outcomes. BJU Int. 2017 Mar;119(3):482-488.

9 Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). Urology Care Foundation. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/s/stress-urinary-incontinence-(sui). Accessed September 2024.

PM-33594

Important safety information

Virtue^® Male Sling System Important Safety Information

Virtue Male Sling is a polypropylene mesh device or “sling” intended to prevent involuntary urine leakage (incontinence) at times of increased pressure on the bladder (e.g., coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, exercise). It is permanently implanted to support, elevate and gently compress the urethra, the tube that connects to the bladder to carry urine outside of the body.

Indications

The Virtue Male Sling System is an implantable, suburethral support sling indicated for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Contraindications

The Virtue Male Sling is contraindicated in patients with one or more of the following conditions: 1) documented hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to polypropylene, 2) active infection, including untreated urinary tract and/or infection in the operative field, 3) patients with untreated or serious blood clotting (coagulation) disorders, 4) patients with blockage of urine flow (obstructive uropathy), 5) patients under the age of 18.

Warnings

Your physician will conduct a complete evaluation with testing to confirm you are a candidate for a male sling. Patients will then be advised prior to surgery, of the warnings associated with the use of this product, the associated surgical and postoperative risks and potential complications. Sling associated complications may result in resurgery which may lead to partial or complete removal of the sling. Complete removal of the sling may not always be possible, and removal may not fully correct these complications. New onset (de novo) complications may occur. As with all surgical procedures, patients with certain underlying conditions may be more susceptible to postoperative bleeding, impaired blood supply, compromised/delayed healing, sling exposure or other complications and adverse events. The risk versus benefit of the male sling should be considered in patients with one or more of the following conditions: auto-immune disease, blood clotting (coagulation) disorder, connective tissue disease, impaired immune system (debilitated or immunocompromised state), diabetes, pelvic radiation therapy, physical characteristics (e.g., body mass index), kidney problems (renal insufficiency), smoking related conditions (e.g., COPD, chronic cough).

Potential Complications

Adverse events are known to occur with sling procedures and implants. Adverse events following sling implantation may be immediate or delayed, localized or systemic, new onset (de novo) or worsening, acute or chronic, transient or permanent.

Adverse events may include but are not limited to: allergic reaction, hypersensitivity; abnormal immune response (autoinflammatory/autoimmunity syndrome); bladder symptoms (e.g., increased daytime frequency, urgency, nocturia (urinating more than once per night), overactive bladder, urinary incontinence); bleeding/hemorrhage; delayed/impaired/abnormal wound healing; exposure, extrusion or erosion of sling into other structures or organs; fistula formation (abnormal connection or passageway between two structures in the body); foreign body granuloma (abnormal tissue formation)/scar tissue formation; genital burning / tingling / numbness (paresthesia); infection; tissue swelling/redness/discomfort (inflammation/irritation); avoidance/difficult/painful intercourse (dyspareunia / sexual dysfunction); tissue death (necrosis); weakness or loss of sensation (neuromuscular disorder); palpable mesh; pain; perforation or injury to adjacent muscles, nerves, vessels, structures, or organs (e.g., bone, bladder, urethra, ureters, bowel); collection of clear fluid or blood outside of tissue or vessels (seroma/hematoma); sling migration; urinary tract infection; inability to completely empty bladder (urinary tract obstruction); voiding symptoms (e.g., dysuria (painful urination), urinary retention, incomplete emptying, bladder outlet obstruction, straining, position-dependent voiding, slow stream).

This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Discuss the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits of the various options to determine if a male sling is right for you.

Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

PM-15544 / Apr 2024