Private Treatment For an Overactive Bladder

Need to know

• Symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome icon plus

  Overactive bladder syndrome is increasingly commonplace. The symptoms can vary, but may include:

  • Urgency. Getting a sudden urgent desire to pass urine. You are not able to put off going to the toilet, regardless of how recently you may have emptied your bladder.
  • Frequency. Going to the toilet more often than you usually would.
  • Nocturia. Waking to go to the toilet more than once during the night.
  • Urge incontinence. Leaking of urine before you can get to the toilet when you have a feeling of urgency.

• Screening and diagnosis icon plus

  Your consultant will speak to you about your problem and general health. They may examine you and perform an internal examination. You will have a urine test to check for an infection. You will be asked to record the frequency and volume of the urine you pass. You may also have a flow test, which includes passing urine into a device to measure the strength of your flow and check whether you can empty your bladder completely.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  There are a variety of forms of treatment for overactive bladder syndrome. These include:

  • Some general lifestyle measures which may help such as adjusting the amount of fluids that are drunk, or possibly cutting out caffeine.
  • Bladder training is the main treatment. This can work well in up to half of cases. Medication may be advised instead of, or in addition to, bladder training.
  • Pelvic floor exercises may also be advised in some cases. If the above treatments are unsuccessful, there is the option of surgery.