Overactive Bladder
The American Urology Association in partnership with the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction released the 2024 clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (OAB).
Overactive bladder is defined as urgency with or without urinary incontinence, often accompanied by frequency and nocturia (night time voiding).
Urgency is defined by IUGA/ICS as the “complaint of a sudden compelling desire to pass urine which is difficult to defer”
It is estimated that 27% of men and up to 43% of women suffer from overactive bladder.
The American Urology Association in partnership with the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction released the 2024 clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (OAB).
Pelvic Physical Therapy is the top recommended conservative treatment!
If you or someone you love is experiencing urinary frequency, urgency, and or incontinence please call our clinic! We would love to work with them.
We treat all genders through all phases of life. Our therapists have Board Specializations in Orthopedics and Pelvic Health to provide you with a holistic program to treat your concerns and individualize the above recommendations to YOU!
What is it:
Overactive bladder is defined as urgency with or without urinary incontinence, often accompanied by frequency and nocturia (night time voiding).
Urgency is defined by IUGA/ICS as the “complaint of a sudden compelling desire to pass urine which is difficult to defer”
Do I pee too much?
Daytime voiding can be variable based on fluid intake, medical conditions, awake hours and many other factors. However, we consider 6-8x per day within a normal range (or approximately voiding every 2-4 hours).
Prevalence and Impact on Quality of Life:
It is estimated that 27% of men and up to 43% of women suffer from overactive bladder. Studies have shown the significant physical, emotional and economic burden overactive bladder places on patients. Clinically we see that overactive bladder impacts our patient’s ability to travel, work, participate in social activities due to fear of strong urgency or loss of bladder control. This restriction of activities leads to isolation. Studies have also reported negative impact on sexual desire and function, marital satisfaction and a strong link to major depressive disorder.
The American Urology Association in partnership with the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction released the 2024 clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (OAB).
Pelvic Physical Therapy is the top recommended treatment.
This can include the following:
Behavioral Intervention
Bladder training/timed voiding
Fluid management (e.g., fluid restriction at night, avoiding polydipsia)
Caffeine reduction
Physical activity/exercise
Dietary modification (e.g., low fat, high fruit/vegetable, whole grain)
Mindfulness
Non-invasive interventions other than behavioral therapy
Pelvic floor muscle training (e.g., urge suppression, muscle strengthening)
Magnetic stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical stimulation
TTNS
Transvaginal electrical stimulation
Yoga
Hypnosis
PFMT: pelvic floor muscle therapy;
TTNS: transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation
OAB: overactive bladder; UUI: urgency urinary incontinence
*not listed in order of efficacy or recommendation
If you or someone you love is experiencing urinary frequency, urgency, and or incontinence please call our clinic! We would love to work with them.
We treat all genders through all phases of life. Our therapists have Board Specializations in Orthopedics and Pelvic Health to provide you with a holistic program to treat your concerns and individualize the above recommendations to YOU!
