Overactive Bladder

Overview

Regain control of your bladder, your sleep and your daily life. Having a sudden urge to urinate, and feeling as if you cannot control it, is a common symptom of an overactive bladder. The specialist team at Minerva Women's Healthcare offers evaluation and treatment for this common but inconvenient condition. If you think you may have an overactive bladder, call our office or request an appointment online today.

At a glance

Overactive bladder is a group of symptoms, mainly a sudden urge to urinate that is hard to control
It is common, it is not something to be embarrassed about, and it can be treated
It is different from stress incontinence, which is leakage during activity such as coughing or exercise
Many women improve with simple measures such as bladder retraining, pelvic floor exercises and changes to drinks
Medicines and other treatments are available when simple measures are not enough

What are the symptoms of overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder is a different condition from stress urinary incontinence, which involves leaking urine during activity such as coughing, sneezing or lifting. Overactive bladder describes a group of urinary symptoms, including:

A sudden urge to urinate that you cannot control
Leaking urine when you feel the urge
Urinating many times during the day
Waking several times during the night to urinate

Never feel embarrassed to ask for help if you have any of these symptoms. Left untreated, an overactive bladder can interfere with your sleep, work and social life.

What causes overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder often happens when the nerve signals between your bladder and your brain get mixed up. These nerves may tell your bladder to empty even when it is not full. In some cases, the bladder muscle or pelvic floor muscles are overactive and contract to pass urine before the bladder is full.

Getting older and some conditions that affect the nervous system increase your risk. Other things can cause similar symptoms or make them worse, including:

Urinary tract infections
Menopause-related changes in the tissues of the vagina and urethra
Diabetes
Bladder stones or other bladder problems
Some medicines, including water tablets (diuretics)
Too much caffeine, alcohol or fluid

Because of this, your doctor will check for other causes before starting treatment.

How is it diagnosed?

We start by asking about your symptoms, your medical history and your medicines. You may be asked to keep a bladder diary for a few days, noting what you drink, how often you pass urine and any leaks. We may carry out a physical and pelvic exam, a urine test to check for infection and, if needed, further tests such as a scan or bladder function tests.

How is overactive bladder treated?

We offer a range of treatments, and your doctor will recommend the one that best suits your symptoms, lifestyle and needs.

Lifestyle changes: Cutting back on bladder irritants such as caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol, managing fluid intake, and maintaining a healthy weight may be enough to calm your bladder.

Pelvic floor exercises: Targeted exercises strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and help you control the urge.

Bladder retraining: You learn to hold urine for longer when you feel the urge, gradually training your bladder to hold more.

Medicines: Medicines can relax the bladder muscle and reduce urgency. Where appropriate, your doctor may also suggest local oestrogen treatment for menopausal tissue changes.

Advanced treatments: When simple measures do not give meaningful relief, options such as injections to relax the bladder muscle, nerve stimulation or surgery may be considered, sometimes with referral to a specialist centre.

Common questions

Is overactive bladder a normal part of ageing?

It becomes more common with age, but it is not something you have to accept. Treatment can help at any age.

What is the difference between overactive bladder and stress incontinence?

Overactive bladder involves a sudden, strong urge to urinate. Stress incontinence is leakage when pressure on the bladder rises, for example when you cough, sneeze or exercise. Some women have both, and the treatments differ.

Do I need to drink less water?

Not necessarily. Drinking too little can irritate the bladder. We will advise on the right amount for you, and on cutting back on drinks in the evening if you wake at night.

When should I see a doctor urgently?

Please see us promptly if you have burning when passing urine, blood in the urine, fever, pain in the side or back, or sudden new symptoms.