Overactive Bladder: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Overactive bladder is the sudden urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine (incontinence). Millions of women suffer from this disorder which can be unpredictable and inconvenient.

Symptoms of Overactive Bladder Disorder

40% of Women experience symptoms of overactive bladder (as well as 30% of men). Overactive is defined as urination more than eight times in a period of twenty four hours. It is often involuntary and can occur regardless of how much liquid is actually being held in the bladder. The need to wake up and urinate (at least two times a night) can be a symptom of OAB.

Causes of Overactive Bladder Disorder in Women

Damaged Nerves

A common cause of OAB is damaged nerves, as this can cause muscles around the urethra to loosen and can lead to leakage. Damaged nerves tend to signal to your bladder to squeeze out urine before it is full. Damage might arise from a number of different causes, such as diabetes; stroke; multiple sclerosis; and back or pelvis surgery, among other causes.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Among women, pregnancy and childbirth can result in stretched and weakened pelvic muscles, causing the bladder to shift from its natural position and cause leakage. Medications, alcohol, and caffeine can also dull your nerves and contribute to OAB. Infections (such as UTIs) might also irritate the bladder nerves, as well as excess weight.

Hormonal Changes (Especially Menopause)

Although overactive bladder can occur at any age, there is some research that says it is more common after menopause for women. Menopause is the date in which a woman has gone twelve months without a menstrual cycle. This might be due to a decline in estrogen and other hormonal changes that occur after menopause.

Male Overactive Bladder Disorder

**The most common cause is enlarged prostate**
Among men, the most common cause of OAB is the enlargement of the prostate, which may naturally occur with age, but may also be a sign of a serious growth or prostate cancer. If the prostate enlarges enough, the flow of urine may be disrupted. Other causes of OAB in men include weak muscles; UTIs; constipation; bladder stones; diabetes; obesity and diet; medications; and neurological conditions.

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Treatment for Overactive Bladder

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Learning short and long contractions, diaphragmatic breathing, and kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can help with overactive bladder. A Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists knows the full anatomy of the organs and muscles surrounding your bladder and can help treat symptoms with a personal plan. To learn how to perform a contraction, try to hold back urine when midstream. Learn more about Pelvic Physiotherapy here, or submit a question and get a personal video answer back on Wellby (no membership fees). If ready for an in-person assessment and located in the Halton region, you can book someone from our team at Quality Care here.

Pelvic Floor Devices

Weighted balls, smart kegel exercisers (apps for your vagina), or a combination of the two by brands like Perifit or Elvie can help you track your progress. The vSculpt is a licensed Health Canada medical device that uses LED technology and is priced at $500 Canadian. To know how to properly use these devices or to first assess the status and health of your pelvic floor you should see a physiotherapist in your area.

Prevention of Overactive Bladder

Reducing fluid intake (especially before bedtime).

Drinking water throughout the day is healthy but limiting intake to when able to access a washroom and avoiding two hours before bedtime.

Vitamins and supplements

Magnesium hydroxide and L-arginine have been studied to help people with OAB and other Chinese herbs like gosha-junki-gan, mushroom extracts, and ganoderma lucidum might help. Acupuncture is under research as well but does not yet have substantial evidence.

Dietary changes

Reducing Caffeine and Alcohol intake. Caffeine is not just found in coffee – watch out for sodas, chocolate, tea, and some medications. Avoiding spicy foods, artificial flavours and sweeteners, and citrus including tomato products. Those with gluten sensitivities might find avoidance is helpful. Reducing intake of carbonated beverages which might aggravate the muscles of the bladder causing them to spasm.