Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by sudden and uncontrollable urges to urinate, often accompanied by frequent urination and sometimes involuntary urine leakage. OAB affects about 30% of men and 40% of women in the United States, but many people do not seek treatment due to embarrassment or misconceptions about available options. The condition can significantly impact quality of life by disrupting work, social activities, and sleep, leading to feelings of isolation.

Treatment options for OAB range from lifestyle changes and exercises to more advanced medical interventions. Lifestyle adjustments, such as avoiding bladder-irritating foods and drinks and practicing scheduled bathroom trips, can help manage symptoms. Medications that relax the bladder muscle are also commonly prescribed, but they may cause side effects like dry mouth and blurred vision. For those who don’t respond to these treatments, options such as bladder Botox injections or nerve stimulation therapies like percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and sacral neuromodulation may offer relief. In rare cases, surgery is considered, but only after other treatments have been exhausted.

Reference: What is Overactive Bladder (OAB)? Urology Care Foundation. Accessed September 9, 2018. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/o/overactive-bladder-(oab)