Overactive bladder is a common condition that impacts the lives of many women. The sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate can be disruptive to everyday life. While it may be embarrassing for you to talk about, know that you aren’t alone with this common. Over 33 million people live with an overactive bladder. Discussing overactive bladder symptoms and treatment options can bring about instant relief in symptoms. If you’ve been wondering what you can do about an overactive bladder, we are happy to share more helpful information.
Symptoms of Overactive Bladder
The most obvious symptoms of an overactive bladder are the sudden uncontrollable urge to urinate and unintentional loss of urine. These symptoms may come on suddenly and are very common for women after they have given birth to children or reach a certain age.
However, there are other symptoms as well, including:
- Frequent urination, more than eight times within 24 hours
- Waking up several times throughout the night to urinate
Of course, symptoms such as these can certainly have an impact on your day-to-day life and make it difficult to schedule your favorite activities. For some people, the symptoms come and go, and other times they worsen over time. It may make it difficult to plan activities, complete tasks, or get a good night’s sleep. If you experience these symptoms of overactive bladder, then it’s time to talk to your doctor.
Treatment for Overactive Bladder
Fortunately, there are treatment options for overactive bladder. Most patients benefit from a combination of treatment strategies to achieve the best results. It takes some time before you find the most ideal solution for your exact needs. Your doctor will make recommendations based on your lifestyle and the severity of your condition. Some of the treatment suggestions include:
Reaching a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight certainly has several health benefits, including curbing an overactive bladder. Weight loss can take the pressure off of your bladder and help reduce some of the more uncomfortable symptoms. To reach a healthy weight, your doctor may suggest a healthy diet and regular exercise. Of course, always talk with a medical professional before changing your eating patterns or starting a new exercise routine.
Tightening Your Pelvic Floor
A weakened pelvic floor can impact your bladder. Women may experience pelvic floor weakening due to pregnancy or natural aging. There are special exercises, known as kegel exercises, that work to strengthen your pelvic floor and restore some bladder control. Your doctor can talk more in-depth about these exercises and how to do them. Keep in mind; these exercises are only effective if performed regularly, just as you would work to strengthen other parts of your body.
Bladder Training
Bladder training can be an effective treatment if you want to establish more control over when you empty your bladder. This is not a quick solution but rather a lengthy process. You will want to start slow. When you first get the urge to urinate, try waiting for a pre-scheduled amount of time. During your first few attempts, try waiting 15-30 minutes before using the restroom. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t make it the full amount of time before going to the restroom. The idea is to build up a tolerance over time. Some patients are very successful with this treatment, while other people need additional support.
Scheduling Bathroom Breaks
Scheduling bathroom breaks may reduce those sudden urges to urinate. Try a set schedule, such as every couple of hours, and your body will slowly start to respond to the routine over time. You’ll also feel like you are regaining some control over your body that you may have felt like you lost. Of course, you should make adjustments to the scheduled bathroom breaks as needed. This is not always an effective option for people with severe overactive bladder.
Pads and Panty Liners
One of the most embarrassing parts of an overactive bladder is the occasional accident. Know that this is incredibly common, and there are some ways to address it. If you have issues with leaking, then absorbent pads and panty liners may help. Simply place the pad in your underwear to protect your clothing from the occasional leak.
Overactive Bladder Medication
If some of the other treatment options don’t work for you, then medication for overactive bladder may be the best treatment moving forward. Your doctor may prescribe hormone treatment if you’re at the natural age for menopause. Hormone therapy can strengthen the tissue of the urethra and vagina, reducing the sudden urges to urinate. There are a variety of other medications that work to relax the bladder that your doctor can talk about with you during your appointment and consultation.
Your doctor will discuss the side effects of these medications and determine if they are the best choice for you. Most of the side effects are mild, such as dry mouth, so your doctor will provide some suggestions for drinking plenty of fluids with the medication. If medications don’t do the trick, then your doctor may go a step further and recommend bladder injections, nerve stimulation, or surgery.
Schedule Your Next Appointment
An overactive bladder can certainly have an impact on a person’s daily life and overall health. It’s not always easy bringing up topics like this to your doctor, but it is something that can be treated. You deserve to live a happy and comfortable life, and we can help you get there!
At Nore Health, we are committed to providing exceptional and compassionate care to each of our patients. If you’ve been living with an overactive bladder, we’d love to hear from you. We work compassionately to understand your concerns and give you a thorough treatment plan that suits your lifestyle and medical needs. We can work together to create a customized overactive bladder treatment plan that gets you back to living a comfortable life. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.