Struggling With An Overactive Bladder? Tips For Managing Symptoms And Finding Relief

For most women, suffering from bladder control problems can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable experience. In fact, some women will actively avoid speaking about their bladder issues out of fear or shame.

Well, we're here to tell you to throw the stigma of your 'pee problems' out the window.

Why? Because it's really common.

One of the most common bladder control problems that women face is an overactive bladder (OAB), which can cause symptoms like peeing more frequently, having less control of the urgency of your pee, and leaks.

To help you better understand this condition and get the relief you deserve, we've created this comprehensive guide to managing OAB symptoms and possible treatment options. At Jude, we take your bladder health very seriously - and you should, too. This also means if you have any new bladder symptoms you should see your doctor for an evaluation as symptoms of overactive bladder can also occur in other conditions and your doctor can advise you best in the context of your whole medical history.

What Are The Symptoms Of Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder is a condition that can cause several disruptive symptoms. These symptoms may be mild or severe, but can all be indicators that you may be suffering from OAB.

Just remember: If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the root cause as other conditions can also cause similar symptoms.

An urgent need to pee (urinary urgency)

One particularly troublesome symptom of OAB can be an overwhelming (and very sudden) urge to urinate. Often, the need to pee can be difficult to suppress and can become incredibly distracting. Plus, it can strike at any time, with no warning, even when your bladder isn't particularly full.

This symptom can cause feelings of stress and anxiety with the constant need to find a bathroom - and quickly. It can also make it challenging to go about your day with confidence. Unfortunately, the stress related to urinary urgency can make OAB symptoms worse, creating a vicious cycle.

Peeing more frequently

OAB can lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom, which can disrupt not only your daily routine but your social life, too. In some cases, women find themselves peeing more than eight times a day, regardless of how much fluid they've consumed.

Just like the other OAB symptoms on this list, the constant need to pee can interfere with everything - from work to grocery store trips. You might also feel as though you're always on the lookout for the closest toilet. In turn, the psychological impact can be just as uncomfortable as the physical symptoms.

Involuntary urine leakage (urinary or urge incontinence)

Are you experiencing leaks? You're not alone.

OAB can cause involuntary urine leakage, also known as urinary incontinence. Usually, this happens when the need to pee is so strong and sudden that you can't make it to the bathroom on time, ultimately resulting in leaks.

While this can understandably be a source of embarrassment and stress, it's important to remember that other women experience the same thing. Luckily, there are ways to treat overactive bladder and manage symptoms like these.

Nighttime symptoms (nocturia)

An overactive bladder doesn't always just affect your days - it can also affect your nights, including your sleep schedule.

Nocturia, or the need to wake up multiple times throughout the night to pee, is a common symptom of OAB. Since it interrupts your sleep, it can often leave you feeling tired the next day, impacting your quality of life.

Managing this symptom of OAB is important not only for your bladder health but also for your overall well-being, since poor sleep can have wide-ranging effects on your physical and mental health.

Causes of Overactive Bladder

So what exactly causes an overactive bladder? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell. However, there are several possible causes including neurological conditions, recurrent UTIs, certain peeing habits and menopause.

Either way, you may want to keep a bladder diary to keep track of what could be causing your OAB. This is also helpful information to give to your GP or urologist and can help them diagnose your condition.

Bladder muscle contractions

An overactive bladder is linked to your bladder (detrusor) muscle. Generally, the symptoms are caused when your bladder muscles contract too frequently or at inappropriate times, affecting its function.

Normally, the detrusor muscle will stay relaxed as your bladder starts to fill up and will only contract when it's time to empty it. However, with OAB, the muscle is overactive, which triggers the sudden and typically uncontrollable urge to urinate, even when your bladder isn't full.

OAB symptoms can feel similar to the urgency you may experience when you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is why most women often don't make the connection between their trips to the loo and an overactive bladder.

It is better to be sure and to see your doctor if you have symptoms of urgency so your doctor can diagnose what’s causing your symptoms.

Contributing factors

Several factors can contribute to the development or worsening of OAB symptoms. However, it's important to remember that these factors vary from person to person, and your overactive bladder may be caused by one or a combination of these factors.

The most common contributory factors for OAB include:

• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes in women can contribute to OAB. This is particularly true for women with low estrogen going through menopause.

• Neurological conditions: In some cases, conditions like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease can affect the nerves that control your bladder.

• Bladder habits: Bad bladder habits, such as frequently holding in pee or peeing "just in case," can lead to overactive bladder. Over time, these habits may weaken bladder muscles and impair the bladder's ability to store and empty urine effectively, resulting in increased urgency and frequency.

• Ageing: Although overactive bladder should not be considered as a normal part of ageing. The ageing process can contribute to the condition. As you age, your bladder ages with you. That means that some people experience changes in their bladder's structure and function, leading to OAB.

• Fluid intake: Drinking too much or too little can make your OAB symptoms worse. This is because drinking too much puts extra pressure on your kidneys and bladder, while drinking too little results in concentrated urine, which can irritate the bladder. Plus, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks can irritate your bladder and increase the urgency of your bathroom trips.

• Medications: Although medications do not typically cause overactive bladder, some medications like diuretics or those used to treat high blood pressure can affect bladder function. Although this medication may be treating other health concerns, it can lead to more frequent urination which can mimic overactive bladder symptoms.

• Recurrent Infections: Recurrent UTIs can lead to OAB by causing chronic irritation and inflammation of the bladder, which increases urgency and frequency of urination.

• Bladder irritation: There are several factors that can contribute to bladder irritation, such as eating spicy foods or drinking coffee or alcohol. Prolonged bladder irritation can contribute to OAB and cause the discomfort associated with overactive bladder symptoms.

How Is Overactive Bladder Diagnosed?

Before you can get relief from your symptoms, it's essential for a doctor to diagnose overactive bladder. This typically involves a combination of assessing your medical history, performing a physical exam, and doing tests to rule out other conditions.

Generally, OAB is diagnosed by following a series of steps, including (but not limited to):

1. Medical history and discussion of symptoms

Typically, your GP will start by asking about your symptoms such as how often you need to pee, whether you experience urgency or incontinence, and how these symptoms affect your daily life. This is where a bladder diary can really come in handy, since you may also be able to pinpoint when these symptoms are worsened.

Additionally, your doctor will need to assess your medical history, which can include any medications you're taking, surgeries you've had, or specific conditions like diabetes. This is necessary to get to the bottom of why you're experiencing OAB symptoms.

2. Urinalysis

A urinalysis is a routine procedure where a sample of your urine is sent off for analysis. Generally, your urine is checked for irregularities like signs of infections or blood that may give your GP an idea of what you're dealing with.

This test helps rule out other possible causes for your symptoms like urinary tract infections or kidney stones, which have physical similarities to OAB symptoms.

3. Physical exam

Another important part of the diagnostic process is a physical exam. This can include a abdomen/pelvic exam to check for any physical abnormalities contributing to your symptoms. During this exam, your GP will likely assess your abdomen to test for any sensitive spots or signs of a bladder that doesn't empty completely.

4. Bladder scan

As part of your diagnosis, your doctor may suggest a bladder scan. This is a non-invasive ultrasound test that checks the amount of urine left in your bladder after you've gone to the toilet. This is an important step because incomplete bladder emptying may indicate other bladder complications. So, by performing this test, your GP can distinguish between OAB and other conditions.

5. Urodynamic testing

Urodynamic testing is a slightly more detailed exam of your bladder. It tests how well your bladder, urethra, sphincter, and other relevant muscles function both on their own and together. This test measures the pressure in your bladder and the flow of urine to assess how your bladder stores (and releases) it.

Ultimately, urodynamic testing can identify abnormal bladder muscle contractions and confirm the presence of OAB.

6. Cystoscopy

In more severe cases of OAB, it may be necessary to perform a cystoscopy. This is often done to rule out other conditions/ This is a procedure where a small camera is inserted into your bladder through the urethra. Using this camera, a urologist can directly inspect the inside of your bladder and urethra.

Cystoscopies can help to rule out bladder stones, tumours, or any other irregularities that may be causing your symptoms.

Treating Overactive Bladder

Once you have your diagnosis, there are several ways to treat overactive bladder. The type of treatment you need will depend on the severity and cause of your OAB. Ultimately, treatment aims to reduce your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and help you regain bladder control. Remember any treatment plan should be agreed between you and your doctor.

Some of the most common and effective treatments include:

Lifestyle changes

Bladder training refers to a technique where you slowly increase the time between your toilet visits to boost your bladder capacity and control. This is often done under medical supervision to ensure you are well supported through the process. It's important to remember that you should always use the loo when you really can't hold it anymore, since you don't want an accident.

Natural remedies

Natural home remedies are an option to relieve symptoms of OAB. Still, they aren't able to cure this condition. Rather, they can be used to manage your symptoms and reduce discomfort.

Some natural remedies include:

• Pumpkin seed extract

• Soy phytoestrogen

• Avoiding certain foods and drinks

Medications

For some OAB cases, it may be necessary to take medications to help relax your bladder muscles. These can reduce how often it contracts and lessen the intense urge to urinate.

Remember, while there are some over-the-counter medications you can use, these are usually food supplements or herbal remedies that may not be as effective as medication, however they may be less likely to cause side effects.

Advanced treatments

Botox injections

Botox injections into the bladder can be an effective treatment for OAB when medications aren't enough. Since botox can also relax the bladder muscle, it works in a similar way to medications and reduces how often your bladder muscles contract.

Although this is incredibly effective, the results only last for a few months, meaning the procedure will need to be repeated periodically.

Nerve stimulation techniques

There are two main nerve stimulation techniques that can help with OAB.

Posterior or Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) is a procedure where the nerve near your ankle is stimulated with mild electrical impulses to help regulate your bladder function.

Alternatively, your doctor may suggest Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS). This is when a small device is implanted under your skin to stimulate your sacral nerves. Since these nerves control the bladder, they can help with long-term OAB management.

Surgical options

In severe cases of OAB that don't respond to other treatments, surgery may be necessary. The most common OAB surgery is urinary diversion, which involves creating a new way for urine to leave your body. This is typically considered a last resort, though, since it is quite complex and can have an effect on your lifestyle post-surgery.

How To Manage Symptoms Of Overactive Bladder

There are several ways to manage the uncomfortable symptoms of an overactive bladder. However, it's important to remember that while these options can help to reduce your symptoms, they're not a substitute for medical treatment. It's extremely important to speak with your GP to determine and treat the root cause of your OAB.

Everyday management

If you find that you're struggling with leaks, products like incontinence pads or incontinence pants can really come in handy. They can prevent you from experiencing accidents during the day, and help you sleep soundly throughout the night. Plus, they're discreet and comfortable enough to wear all day long, which can help you regain your confidence.

Long-term management

For some of us, we may want an alternatives to taking medications or to take a supplement alongside medication.. At Jude, we value giving women options. That's why we've created our bladder supplements using natural ingredients that aim help you regain bladder control.

With ingredients like pumpkin extract and soy phytoestrogen, our supplements have been shown in clinical studies to to reduce leaks, decrease your urge incontinence, and help you sleep through the night. As with any new supplement it is best to consult your doctor before taking them because although they do not require a prescription, everyone’s health needs are different and your doctor can advise you best.

FAQs

Does an overactive bladder ever go away?

An overactive bladder may not go away completely in some cases, but most women can find significant relief with the right management and treatment plan. OAB can typically be controlled through bladder retraining, lifestyle changes, medications, natural remedies, and potentially more advanced treatments.

It's important to remember that the majority of OAB cases aren't severe enough for advanced treatments. This means it's more likely that you'll be able to treat and manage your overactive bladder without medical procedures.

What is the main cause of overactive bladder?

The exact cause of overactive bladder can vary from person to person, but it generally involves the bladder muscles contracting more often than they should. The root cause of these contractions may include:

• Nerve damage or problems

• Bladder muscle overactivity

• Menopause

It can lead to the urgent need to pee and more frequent trips to the loo. While there may not be a clear cause, your GP can help determine any other underlying issues and suggest a suitable treatment plan.

What flares up an overactive bladder?

Several things may cause an overactive bladder to flare up. Some of the most common culprits include:

• Consuming too much caffeine

• Drinking alcohol

• Spicy and/or acidic foods

• Not drinking enough water

It's important to remember that stress and anxiety can also make overactive bladder symptoms worse. If you want to keep track of what is triggering your OAB symptoms, keep a diary or log of what you're eating and drinking, how much you're drinking, and your stress levels.

Final Thoughts

An overactive bladder is nothing to be ashamed of - there are plenty of women who are experiencing the same symptoms as you. While toilet troubles may not be the most comfortable topic of discussion, speaking openly with your GP about your symptoms and concerns can help you find relief.

Your bladder health is extremely important (especially as you start to get older). So, if you're experiencing OAB, you shouldn't delay scheduling a visit to your doctor. Plus, with our guide on OAB and how to manage it, you'll know exactly what you're in for during your treatment plan.

Jude’s clinically proven supplements give you better bladder and pelvic floor control, helping you sleep through the night and regain the freedom to live life on your own terms. With just one capsule morning and night, you'll have relief from need-to-go urgency in just 12 weeks.