Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosing an overactive bladder Treatment options for an overactive bladder Voiding Diary

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The Overactive Bladder

The treatment for overactive bladder depends on the capabilities of the patient. Commonly recommended treatments include:

• Pelvic Muscle Rehabilitation - to improve pelvic muscle tone and prevent leakage.
  
  
• Kegel exercises: Regular, daily exercising of pelvic muscles can improve, and even prevent, urinary incontinence. This is particularly helpful for younger women. Should be performed 30-80 times daily for at least 8 weeks

• Biofeedback: Used in conjunction with Kegel exercises, biofeedback helps people gain awareness and control of their pelvic muscles.
   
• Vaginal weight training: Small weights are held within the vagina by tightening the vaginal muscles. Should be performed for 15 minutes, twice daily, for 4 to 6 weeks.
   
• Pelvic floor electrical stimulation: Mild electrical pulses stimulate muscle contractions. Should be done in conjunction with Kegel exercises.
   
• Behavioral Therapies - to help people regain control of their bladder.
  

Bladder training teaches people to resist the urge to void and gradually expand the intervals between voiding.

Toileting assistance uses routine or scheduled toileting, habit training schedules, and prompted voiding to empty the bladder regularly to prevent leaking.

Medications For Overactive Bladder

• Oxybutynin (brand name: Ditropan) prevents urge incontinence by relaxing sphincter muscles
   
• Tolterodine (brand name: Detrol, Detrol LA) is indicated for the treatment of an overactive bladder with symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, or urge incontinence
   
• Estrogen, either oral or vaginal, may be helpful in conjunction with other treatments for postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence