L. Andrew Evans, MD L. Andrew Evans, MD

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Overactive Bladder Treatments Beyond Medications

Posted on by L. Andrew Evans, MD in ,

Overactive bladder, or OAB, is the sudden and uncontrollable need to urinate affecting men and 40% of women. It can lead to the embarrassing involuntary leakage of urine. If you have an overactive bladder and have tried all the prescription meds with their accompanying complications or ineffectiveness, don’t give up. There are additional overactive bladder treatments beyond medications.

Train Your Bladderman standing at urinal about to use it

Instead of going each time you have the urge, set specific times of the day to go. You learn to control the situation by scheduled voiding. The first time you have the urge, you wait just a few minutes, then wait longer each time. Sitting down and not moving helps. Squeeze your pelvic muscles several times and when the urge passes, walk slowly to the bathroom.

Double void is another trick. After you urinate, wait a few minutes and go again. That way you have totally emptied your bladder.

This will take weeks to train your bladder, but it can work in some cases.

Lifestyle Changes To Avoid Leakage

  • Don’t drink caffeinated drinks or other fluids before bedtime. The same goes for when you are about to do an activity.
  • Keeping your weight down and exercising can help. The extra weight adds pressure to your bladder.
  • Stop smoking (and coughing).
  • Keep healthy bowel habits and avoid constipation.
  • Watch your diet and avoid spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, soft drinks, juices, and tomato-based products.

BOTOX

Bet you didn’t know BOTOX can help with an overactive bladder. It is injected into the bladder muscle to reduce muscle contraction. You only need additional injections a few times a year.

InterStim Therapy

InterStim Therapy uses gentle nerve stimulation to correct the bladder-brain communication pathway and restore bladder function. It is safe, FDA-approved and minimally invasive.

Surgery

If all other treatments do not produce results, surgery may be an option.

The bottom line is that if OAB medications have failed you, there are other options to reduce your symptoms and live a more active life.

Contact Western Kentucky Men’s Health at (270) 442-3539 for additional information and to discover which treatment might be best for you.