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Summary

  • Overactive bladder is a common condition causing frequent urination and urgency.
  • It’s often caused by enlarged prostate or neurological issues.
  • Symptoms include frequent urination, leaks, and nighttime urination.
Here’s what's included in the price:
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Answer a few questions about your health so we can get to know you better.
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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. 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.

Medically reviewed by
Dr Daniel Atkinson
GP Clinical Lead
on March 27, 2023.
Meet Daniel  
Daniel
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on March 27, 2023. Next review due on March 27, 2025.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Overactive bladder

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.

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.

Medically reviewed by
Dr Daniel Atkinson
GP Clinical Lead
on March 27, 2023.
Meet Daniel  
Daniel
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on March 27, 2023. Next review due on March 27, 2025.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Overactive bladder

What medications are there for overactive bladder?

Although some people might be able to live with their OAB simply by making some lifestyle changes, treatment is often needed to help you to gain more control over your bladder.

Alpha blockers are commonly prescribed medications to help with OAB in men. These work by relaxing the muscles around your bladder in order to reduce blockages. Alpha blockers will usually be quite useful if you’re also suffering from an enlarged prostate. Another option is to get drugs that reduce spasms in your bladder. These will reduce your urges to urinate.

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for overactive bladder?

There isn’t a ‘best’ treatment as such for overactive bladder. It’s a case of finding the right medication for you. Some people will be better suited to certain treatments than others due to their own health needs, as well as their preferences. Identifying the right treatment for you can also involve some ‘trial and error’.

If you’re wondering what the best OAB treatment is for you, chat to our clinician. They’ll be able to help you choose the most suitable medication for your needs after you’ve talked to us about your health.

Does overactive bladder always need treatment?

Overactive bladder doesn’t always need treatment. In fact, if you can regain control over your bladder function with some lifestyle changes, then this is always the preferred option to taking medications. This is because it eliminates the risk of side effects, and also because even if you do take medications for it, they’ll work better if you take them alongside making lifestyle adjustments.

You should be able to help your OAB symptoms if you:

  • eliminate any foods or drinks that could irritate or trigger your bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol or fizzy drinks
  • try ‘double voiding’ - this is where you wait for a few seconds after urinating to try and urinate again
  • try to train yourself to hold your urine in for longer
  • set scheduled times to urinate
    exercise your bladder muscles (this can involve flexing and releasing your pelvic muscles when you feel the urge to urinate)
  • try to lose weight (obesity can be a risk factor for OAB as excess weight puts pressure on your bladder, so if you’re overweight or obese then losing weight might improve your symptoms)
Medically reviewed by
Dr Daniel Atkinson
GP Clinical Lead
on March 27, 2023.
Meet Daniel  
Daniel
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on March 27, 2023. Next review due on March 27, 2025.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Overactive bladder

FAQ: Overactive bladder

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is overactive bladder diagnosed?

Answer:
Overactive bladder will usually be diagnosed by an in-person appointment with a clinician, who will talk to you about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. You might also be asked to keep a diary for a few days, to record how often you urinate and what you eat or drink to see if there are any specific triggers.

Are there tests for overactive bladder?

Answer:
During your diagnosis, your clinician might carry out some tests to check there are no other issues, such as testing your urine for any blood or infections. You might also be asked to go to the toilet to urinate, and after that your clinician will check your bladder with an ultrasound to see how much urine is left in your bladder in order to gauge the extent of the blockage.

A clinician may carry out a cystoscopy if they’re worried that there might be some structural problems with your bladder, but this isn’t usually needed.

Can you get side effects from overactive bladder treatment?

Answer:
All medicines can cause side effects in some people, and OAB treatments are no different. That’s why it’s often recommended that you try to help tackle symptoms with lifestyle changes, before trying treatment.

Common side effects of alpha blockers (which are often prescribed to help with overactive bladder) include drowsiness, headaches and dizziness. For more specific information on what side effects you could get from different OAB treatments, feel free to check out our dedicated product pages or speak to one of our clinicians. If you already have your medication then you can also check your patient information leaflet, which should be inside the packaging.

Does overactive bladder treatment always work?

Answer:
Sometimes it’s the case that you’re unable to treat your symptoms with either lifestyle changes or medicines. In these cases, your clinician might recommend surgery. This often will only happen if the cause of your overactive bladder is enlarged prostate. The surgical procedure will usually involve removing part of your prostate in order to relieve the pressure on your bladder. This is usually a ‘last resort’ option, so will only be recommended if there aren’t any other available options.

Why should I buy overactive bladder treatment online with Treated?

Answer:
We know that having an overactive bladder can get in the way of your day-to-day life, and that even going out to get your medication might be daunting. With Treated, we’ll send you the treatment that you need on a schedule that suits you, in discreet packaging.

That way, you’ll be sure to have the medication that you need on hand in order to carry on living life as you choose. Our expert team can keep in touch to see how you’re getting on with it, and if you change your mind at any time, then you can pause, change or cancel your subscription whenever you want.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on March 27, 2023. Next review due on March 27, 2025.
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