Overactive bladder

What is an overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition in which you feel a frequent urge to urinate, which can be hard to control. It can lead to you leaking urine unintentionally (incontinence), having to take regular trips to the toilet and waking up multiple times in the night to urinate.

It can be a cause of distress and embarrassment for a lot of men, and can stop them from getting involved in normal daily activities, or isolating them from their work and social lives.

Who gets an overactive bladder?

You’re typically more likely to suffer from overactive bladder as you get older. It can happen to both men and women, but this page is for overactive bladder in men specifically.

As you age, your prostate gland is more likely to become enlarged, which puts pressure on your bladder and contributes to an increased urge to urinate more frequently. You’ll also be more likely to suffer from an overactive bladder if you’re suffering from any cognitive issues, such as Alzheimer’s. Or if you’ve had a stroke, for example (the likelihood of which increases with age).

How common is overactive bladder?

It’s a very common condition, which is estimated to affect around 16.6% of people over the age of 40. ^[1] It affects both men and women equally, but the symptoms between them differ. With women, urge incontinence (an urge to urinate that is too strong, causing you to urinate before you get to the toilet) is seen more commonly than in men.

Even though it’s a very common condition, embarrassment about it can often stop men from getting medical advice and treatment. In a study from 2009, only 45.7% of people with OAB had spoken to a clinician about their symptoms, and only 8.1% were undergoing treatment for it. ^[2]

What causes overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder is usually caused by other conditions related to ageing. In two thirds of cases in men, OAB is caused by an obstruction to urinary outflow from your bladder due to enlarged prostate (or BPH). Essentially, if your prostate becomes too large, it can put pressure on your bladder, making it harder for your bladder to empty properly. This in turn causes increased urge and urinary frequency.

It can also be caused by neurological conditions like stroke, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, as your brain sends incorrect signals to your bladder. Sometimes, though, overactive bladder can be triggered by more of a temporary issue, like drinking caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, or constipation – which can also put pressure on your bladder.

What are the symptoms of overactive bladder?

The symptoms of OAB typically include an increased urge and frequency to urinate. Sometimes this can lead to incontinence (urinating unintentionally, or before you can make it to a toilet). It may also lead to you waking up throughout the night to go to the bathroom, or make it difficult for you to completely empty your bladder.

Can overactive bladder lead to other problems?

Although it won’t usually lead to any other physical problems, it may trigger psychological difficulties, such as depression and enjoying sex less. ^[1]

You’re certainly not alone if you have an overactive bladder though. It’s a common condition, and there is help at hand if you reach out to a clinician. They’ll be able to offer you advice and treatments for it, which will likely improve your quality of life and mental health.