To learn more and always stay #InControl visit www.oab.ie.

It’s hard to believe that in 2018 there are still women’s health issues that we find difficult to talk openly about, but unfortunately that is the case with overactive bladder (OAB). However, OAB is much more common than many think and it’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. It affects around 350,000(1) people in Ireland, both women and men, and while it is more common in those over the age of 40, it can affect people of all ages.

Five Myths About OAB

1. Overactive bladder is not exclusively “a women’s condition”. While OAB is more common in women, large numbers of men also experience a negative impact on their quality of life, which could be alleviated by identifying and treating their condition. While an average person waits one year from the onset of symptoms before presenting to a doctor, it’s important to know that help is at hand and there is no need to suffer in silence.

2. Overactive bladder is not just a “normal” part of ageing. Although OAB symptoms become more common as people get older, OAB can affect people at any age. If you frequently feel an urgent and overwhelming need to urinate, or you are making too many trips to the bathroom and sometimes have leakage, you should contact your GP for advice and treatment solutions.

3. You don’t need to drink less water to control overactive bladder. In fact, it is not healthy to drastically reduce your water intake - while you might produce less urine, it may become more highly concentrated which can irritate the bladder. Aim instead for six to eight cups of fluid spaced throughout the day.

4. You should not have to stay close to a toilet at all times. With support from your GP, you can learn bladder training techniques to increase the time spent between toilet breaks, in time reducing the occurrence of sudden urges. Once you build up your confidence, you will be able to focus more on enjoying life rather than the location of the nearest toilet. Nearly 70%[2] of people with OAB say their social life has been impact by their bladder symptoms, but with support, this does not have to be the case.

5. Having a “small” bladder does not cause OAB. Instead, overactive bladder is caused by sudden and involuntary bladder contractions, which lead to an overwhelming need to go to the toilet. While bladder size does not affect OAB in men, however, the size of their prostate might, as it can put pressure on the urethra and contribute to OAB symptoms.

What is OAB and how can I spot the symptoms?

OAB is a medical condition that affects the way the bladder behaves, meaning you have much less control over when your bladder contracts to pass urine. It can cause embarrassment and severely impact on people’s lives.

If you have overactive bladder you may experience a frequent, intense and urgent need to urinate. In some cases, it’s so sudden that you have trouble making it to the bathroom in time. OAB is caused by involuntary bladder contractions and is characterised by a group of four symptoms:

Urgency: The most common symptom of overactive bladder is urinary urgency, which is a sudden and compelling desire to pass urine, which is difficult to hold in. Urgency may occur with accidental leakages, often referred to as “wet OAB” or without accidental leakage, often referred to as “dry OAB”.

Frequency: A person may visit the bathroom to urinate up to eight times in a 24-hour period. However, if you find yourself going to the toilet more often than that, you may have OAB.

Nocturia: People with bladder problems may have night-time symptoms, which could indicate nocturia. Nocturia is defined as waking up two or more times a night to urinate. Most people can sleep for 6-8 hours without having to urinate. Nocturia can be very disruptive and lead to poor sleep quality, which can have a knock-on effect during the day.

Urge incontinence: OAB can have symptoms of urinary urge incontinence. This happens because the sense of needing to empty your bladder is so overwhelming that there may be some accidental loss of urine before you reach the toilet. In urge incontinence, small or large quantities of urine can be lost involuntarily.

Getting help

It is never too late to take control. OAB can turn your world upside down but can be managed with the appropriate treatment. Although it may feel embarrassing approaching a doctor about bladder problems, it is important to remember that help is available in the form of advice, bladder training, pelvic floor exercises and medication. Speaking to somebody can often make you feel less anxious, more in control, and put you on the road to managing your bladder condition.

To learn more and always stay #InControl visit www.oab.ie.

[1] Milsom I et al. BJU Int. 2001; 87: 760-6

[2] Astellas Understanding the OAB patient journey – Ireland country report December 2017’. Research conducted by Astellas and Incite in 2017

Date of Preparation May 2018 URO18008IREm