Are you going to the bathroom too often? Do you have sudden urges to urinate? Are you wearing messy pads or adult diapers?  If this sounds like you, you’re one of 37 million people living in the United States who suffered from an Overactive Bladder (OAB).
OAB can control your life. Millions of women limit the activities they love because of a need to find a bathroom quickly. Whether it’s walks with friends, working 9 to 5, going to the movies or shopping at your local market, many women no longer have the freedom to do what they want to do unless there’s a bathroom close by.

Even worse, some women become recluses, afraid to leave the house because of embarrassing leakage while outside. OAB can also affect intimacy due to fear of sudden urine leakage during sexual activity.

You are not alone! Overactive Bladder is one of the most common health problems for women. Now, there is hope. You may be able to end your dependence on medications and messy, expensive diapers and pads. You can return to a normal lifestyle. Learn more about how we can help.

WHAT IS OVERACTIVE BLADDER?

An overactive bladder causes an involuntary contraction of the muscle in the wall of the urinary bladder resulting in sudden and frequent urges to urinate. It can occur whether the bladder contains only contain a small amount of urine or if it is full. In its worst form, the sudden urge to urinate cannot be stopped and urine leaks out. That is called urge incontinence.
You may have an overactive bladder if:

• You urinate six or more times a day
• You wake up at night to urinate
• You have sudden, strong urges to urinate immediately
• You leak urine after a sudden, strong urge to urinate

In general, during a 24-hour period you shouldn’t need to urinate more than about six to eight times. That varies, depending upon your fluid intake and the capacity of your bladder. If you find yourself “going and going,” it may be time to schedule an appointment at Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center’s Women’s Bladder Control Center of Excellence.

WHAT CAUSES OVERACTIVE BLADDER?

There are many possible causes of bladder control problems, including:

• Changes in your pelvic area from pregnancy and childbirth
• Low estrogen levels that occur during or after menopause or after surgical removal of the ovaries
• Being overweight
• Aging as the muscles and nerves controlling bladder function change over time
• Side effect of surgery that can cause damage to nerves that control urination
• Bladder infections
• Side effects of medications
• Trauma or accidents
• Back injuries

According to the National Institute of Aging, more women than men experience OAB. The ratio is about 2 to 1. While it is more common in women over the age of 40, OAB can affect younger women as well.

Sometimes, difficulty with bladder control can be a sign of a more serious disease, such as bladder cancer, and early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a cure.

WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OVERACTIVE BLADDER?

At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center of Excellence for Bladder Control we offer in-office, minimally invasive and surgical options. Learn more about our Center of Excellence bladder control treatment options, including:

Acupuncture – known as PTNS or Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation. This FDA approved series of treatments is effective in up to 60% of patients.

Biofeedback – computer assisted exercises that can “teach” your bladder to inhibit frequent contractions.
Hormone (Estrogen) Replacement Therapy – it sounds simple but it works for many women.

Interstim® Bladder Therapy – a tiny battery is implanted under your skin that sends impulses to bladder control centers in your body to stop or reduce OAB symptoms.

Outpatient Surgery – done to correct pelvic organ prolapse (POP). As women age, or after pregnancy and childbirth, structures like the bladder, rectum and intestine can protrude into the vagina. The resulting pressure against the bladder wall can cause OAB.

Bladder Control problems in women are one of the most common problems that we see and treat at the Woman’s Bladder Control Center of Excellence. If you suffer from OAB symptoms it may be time to schedule an appointment with us.

Call 888.735.4336 or Email us via our Contact Us form to schedule your personal consultation.