Healthcare: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Overactive Bladder

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What Is Overactive Bladder?

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Overactive bladder is a common condition in which a woman feels a sudden and frequent urge to urinate. The urge may be difficult to control and often results in the involuntary loss of urine, a condition known as incontinence.

The fear of embarrassment caused by an overactive bladder can severely impact a woman's quality of life including work, social life, sleep patterns and relationships.

Overactive bladder should not be considered a normal part of aging. Treatment is available to help patients resume their normal routine.

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What Are the Symptoms of Overactive Bladder?

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Symptoms may include:

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What Causes Overactive Bladder?

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Overactive bladder is typically caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle (detrusor muscle). Sudden bladder contractions may be caused by many factors, or a combination of factors, including:

  • Infections
  • Abnormalities of the nervous system or diseases that interfere with communication between the bladder and the brain, sending signals to the brain and bladder to empty at the wrong time
  • Medication side effects
  • Diet and lifestyle
  • Bladder and kidney stones
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How Is Overactive Bladder Diagnosed?

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Diagnosis starts with a detailed medical history and thorough physical exam, including a pelvic exam. You may also be asked to keep a voiding diary to record when you have the urge to urinate, leakage amount, what you were doing at the time, fluids consumed, and other details.

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How Is Overactive Bladder Treated?

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Treatment depends on the cause of the overactive bladder. Treatment strategies include:

  • Addressing the underlying irritants. Such as infections, bladder stones, and medication side effects that may be causing the overactive bladder symptoms
  • Lifestyle changes. Including changes in diet and fluid intake, weight loss, avoidance of caffeine and alcohol, and smoking
  • Bladder training. To help increase bladder capacity and the bladder's ability to hold urine, by increasing the amount of time between voiding
  • Pelvic floor exercises. To strengthen muscles
  • Medications. To relax the bladder muscle and reduce involuntary contractions
  • Sacral nerve stimulation. Sends mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerve, the nerve that influences bladder control muscles
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Texas Children’s MyChart

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Easy, convenient access to your obstetrics and gynecology medical records. Learn more.