What Is Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a term used to describe a group of urinary symptoms. The most common symptom is having a frequent, sudden, or uncontrollable urge to urinate. Some people with OAB also experience urgency incontinence or leaking urine before getting to a toilet.
OAB is caused by a problem with the muscles that help squeeze urine out of the bladder. When these muscles contract too soon, it can make you feel like you need to go to the bathroom, even if your bladder isn’t full.
The most significant risk factor for overactive bladder is age: you’re more likely to develop symptoms as you age. Cognitive decline, stroke, and dementia are also associated with OAB. Other conditions that can contribute to overactive bladder include neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis; diabetes; menopause and hormonal changes in women; and obstructions that press on the bladder, like an enlarged prostate. Urinary tract infections can cause symptoms similar to OAB. In addition, some medications can make you need to urinate more urgently or frequently.
When to Seek a Specialist
OAB isn’t life-threatening, but it can disrupt your quality of life. And while it’s more common in older people, it’s not an inevitable side effect of aging. Fortunately, treatment can help, so talk with your doctor if an overactive bladder affects your day-to-day life.
Why Fox Chase-Temple Urologic Institute for an Overactive Bladder
The Fox Chase-Temple Urologic Institute has one of the region's largest and most advanced urology programs, with a multidisciplinary team of physicians experienced in treating overactive bladder. Our team includes some of the most experienced urologists in the country, including nationally and internationally recognized experts in subspecialties like urogynecology, robotic surgery, and enlarged prostate care, who can work with you to diagnose and treat OAB, as well as any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an overactive bladder can include:
- An urgent need to urinate. The most common symptom of OAB is suddenly feeling like you have to pee right away and that you can’t “hold it.”
- Leaking. Some people may leak urine on their way to the bathroom or when they feel that sudden urge to go. This “urgency incontinence” differs from the leaking some people experience during physical activity.
- Frequent urination. This can include having to urinate eight or more times a day.
- Nighttime waking (nocturia). You may wake up two or more times during the night to urinate.
Severe Symptoms
While an overactive bladder isn’t dangerous, it can cause people to feel embarrassed, limit their physical activities, avoid social interactions, and become more isolated. It can also disrupt sleep, contributing to daytime tiredness.
Treatment Options
Treatment for overactive bladder can depend on your symptoms and underlying causes. Fox Chase-Temple Urologic Institute specialists offer a wide range of non-surgical and surgical treatments, including advanced treatment options that may not be available at other hospitals. Your physician can work with you to recommend the best approach for your situation.
Treatment options include:
- Physical therapy. Physical therapy can include pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) to strengthen muscles around the bladder, stop involuntary contractions, and hold urine in.
- Behavioral therapy. Setting a schedule for using the toilet every few hours or bladder training to practice gradually delaying urination when you feel the urge can help manage OAB.
- Biofeedback. This can involve using sensors to detect signals from your body and gradually change how you respond.
- Incontinence devices. External devices like pads or absorbent undergarments can help you reduce stress. Internal devices for women can be inserted, like a tampon, and pressed on the urethra to reduce leaks.
- Medications. Certain medications can reduce involuntary bladder contractions by relaxing the bladder.
- Hormone therapy. For postmenopausal women, vaginal estrogen therapy can help restore muscle and tissue conditions and reduce symptoms of OAB.
- Botox. Botox injections directly into bladder tissue can relax muscles and reduce severe symptoms. However, these injections wear off after six months and must be repeated to sustain benefits.
- Nerve stimulation. Several different procedures can help reset the nerve signals that trigger bladder contractions. These may include treatments done in the physician’s office or electrodes surgically implanted in your body.
- Surgery. If symptoms are severe, surgery may be an option. Surgical options include expanding the bladder to increase capacity, removing the bladder, and constructing a replacement or creating an opening to attach an external urine bag. These options can have significant side effects.
Ready for an Appointment?
Find a doctor near you, request an appointment, or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (855-419-7145) today.