Overactive Bladder

Topic Overview

What is overactive bladder?





Overactive bladder can cause other problems too. Hurrying to the bathroom can lead to falls and broken bones, especially in women who have gone through menopause.1 That's because older women are more likely to have brittle bones that break easily. In both men and women, overactive bladder can cause sleeping problems, depression, and urinary tract infections.


What causes overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder is caused by an overactive muscle in the bladder that pushes urine out. There are many things that can make this muscle overactive. It can be caused by a bladder infection, stress, or another medical problem. Some brain problems, such as Parkinson’s disease or a stroke, can also lead to overactive bladder. But in many cases, doctors don't know what causes it.


What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms of overactive bladder are:

  • An urgent need to urinate.
  • Waking up to urinate 2 or more times a night.
  • Leaking urine when you have the urge to urinate.

You may have some or all of these symptoms.

How is overactive bladder diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical exam. He or she will ask what kinds of fluids you drink and how much. Your doctor will also want to know how often you urinate, how much, and if you leak. It may help to write down these things for 3 or 4 days before you see your doctor.



How is it treated?

The first step in treatment will be to try some things at home, such as urinating at scheduled times. Your doctor may ask you to urinate every 2 hours during the day even if you don't have the urge. This is called bladder retraining. It can help you regain control.


There are other changes you can make that can help:

  • When you go to the bathroom, urinate as much as you can. Then relax for a few seconds and try again. Practice this each time you urinate.

If you're leaking urine, your doctor may give you medicine to treat incontinence. But doctors usually prescribe medicine only when bladder training and exercises don't work.

Surgery is not usually done for overactive bladder.



  1. Ouslander JG (2004). Management of overactive bladder. New England Journal of Medicine, 350(8): 786–799.

Other Works Consulted



Author Sandy Jocoy, RN
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
Last Updated September 17, 2008

Last Updated: September 17, 2008

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