Home About Us Medical Staff Curtis D. Struyk, M.D. Douglas M. Van Drie, M.D. Judith A. Hiemenga, M.D. Roger W. Edvenson, M.D. Michael L. Bennett, M.D. Elizabeth J. Luce, M.D. Jason B. Bennett, M.D. Kate Haehnel, MS, CUPN, FNP Kathleen Hascher, MSN, FNP Obstetrics Pregnancy FAQs Your First Visit Fetal Well-Being Kick Counts The Non-Stress Test Biophysical Profile Should I Call The Doctor? Active Labor Post Partum Visit Welcome To The World Gynecology Incontinence Pelvic Floor Rehab Overactive Bladder Heavy Periods Pelvic Pain Endometriosis Interstitial Cystitis Vulvodynia Infertility Fibroids Permanent Contraception Abnormal Pap Smear Pap Test HPV Testing Other Menopause Osteoporosis PMS Yeast Infections Procedures Colposcopy Endometrial Biopsy Hysteroscopy LEEP Essure Endometrial Ablation Thermachoice Renessa Novasure Tegress TVTs Surgery GVG Imaging Ultrasound Facts 3D Ultrasound Gynecologic Ultrasound Obstetrical Ultrasound Biophysical / Amniotic Ultrasound Pelvic Ultrasound Nuchal Translucency Amniocentesis Lung Maturity Notification Of Scan Results Memory Photos & Videos AIUM Official Statements What's New Glossary Links Common Problems

What is Overactive Bladder?

Overactive Bladder (OAB) occurs when the muscle that surrounds the bladder spastically contracts, causing urinary urgency. Urinary urgency is an inconvenient and unpredictable condition. It can disrupt your daily activities, lower self-esteem, and quality of life.

Causes of OAB:
  • The presence of bladder stones
  • Side effects from medications
  • Nerve damage from some type of trauma or surgery
  • Neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, or stroke

Signs and symptoms of OAB:
  • Urinary frequency and/ or urgency
  • Urinary Incontinence

Risk factors for OAB:
  • Age
  • Obesity
  • Childbirth
  • Family History

OAB affects more than seventeen million men and women. OAB is known as the closet disorder due to the fact that only one-third of women talk to their doctors about their incontinence. Two-thirds of women who talk to their doctors have been experiencing problems for over two years. Social anxiety can often occur with OAB, as the possibility of 'not making it to the bathroom' as a grown adult is not a pleasant thought.

There are many treatments for OAB, including:
  • Behavorial techniques - changes in diet, lifestyle
  • Bladder training
  • Medications
  • Sacral Nerve Stimulation
  • Surgery
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