Behavioral and medical treatments are available to help alleviate many of the adverse symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). After tests determine the specific problem, a person who is diagnosed with OAB can usually find a solution that will help minimize symptoms without many negative side effects.

Lifestyle Changes

Bladder Training and Scheduled Voiding

Bladder training or voiding on a schedule is commonly recommended to help “teach” the bladder to steadily hold urine. A doctor may advise you to delay urinating for five to 10 minutes when the urge arises. Over time, the delay can increase and help build a tolerance to the urgency that comes with OAB. Scheduled bathroom visits—every two hours, for example—may also be helpful.

Double Voiding

Urinating twice with a few minutes in between may help release residual urine that can remain in the bladder and cause OAB symptoms. This can help individuals who feel they don’t empty their bladder completely during urination or who have been tested and are known to have a high postvoid residual. However, having to go twice every time you need to void can be disruptive to your daily routine.

Kegel Exercises

To help manage urge incontinence in OAB (as well as stress incontinence), these pelvic exercises can help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor and urinary sphincter that are important for holding urine in the bladder. You can learn to tighten, hold, and release the muscles that control urination. Over time, the number of repetitions and time of holding the contraction can be increased.

Fluid and Diet Management

Changes in diet and fluid intake can help relieve OAB symptoms.

  • Maintaining a schedule of the timing and amount of daily fluid intake; this plan will be prescribed by your doctor
  • Limiting caffeinated drinks and acidic beverages such as coffee, cranberry and citrus juices, or sodas
  • Limiting the intake of alcoholic beverages
  • Eating foods high in fiber, such as flax seed, or taking fiber supplements if a doctor advises. This can help avoid constipation and aid the process of proper digestion and voiding
  • Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI), as being overweight increases the risk of incontinence

Intermittent Catheterization

Intermittent catheterization is a procedure that empties the bladder completely. It is a self-administered procedure that involves inserting a thin tube into the urethra each time you need to urinate. This helps retrain the bladder to function properly. Talk to your doctor to see whether this procedure is right for you.

Medications

Anticholinergics

Anticholinergics are commonly prescribed for people with OAB. They inhibit nerve impulses that are responsible for involuntary contractions of the smooth muscle in the bladder. In people with OAB the bladder muscle contracts, even if the bladder isn’t full, and causes a sudden urge to urinate.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed for OAB because they can help relax the smooth muscle of the bladder.

Estrogen

One theory suggests that some women suffer from OAB because of a drop in estrogen level as a result of menopause. Estrogen helps keep tissues around the bladder healthy and working properly. There is some scientific research that suggests topical estrogen treatment may ease the symptoms of OAB.

Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox)

Recent studies have shown that Botox injections into the bladder can significantly decrease OAB symptoms and can also improve bladder capacity and the ability to empty the bladder. Research varies as to the dosage and duration of relief, but the findings are promising for those who do not respond to anticholinergics. The FDA has not approved Botox for incontinence.

Many drug treatments have side effects and are not safe for everyone. A doctor can determine which drug is appropriate and safe for you. Learn more about Overactive Bladder Drugs.

Surgery

When conservative measures for OAB are unsuccessful, surgery is another treatment option. Some surgeries are reversible but are not recommended for everyone. Women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant may want to wait until after childbirth, because changes occurring with pregnancy may counteract the surgical modification.

Sacral Nerve Stimulation

To help reduce urge incontinence, an electrical device can be implanted at the base of the spine. The device, which is about the size of a small stopwatch, produces electrical currents that can influence bladder-control muscle by gently stimulating the sacral nerve. Before the device is implanted, a patient will have a test run with an exterior electrical device to see whether this treatment can be of benefit. Nerve stimulation can be costly and have adverse side effects.

Bladder Augmentation

This procedure increases the capacity of the bladder by adding intestine segments or by reducing the muscle-squeezing ability of the bladder. This surgery is lengthy and recovery time may take several weeks. Adverse side effects can include infection and chronic diarrhea. Intermittent catheterization may be required for complete bladder emptying.