Characterized by sudden urges to urinate, urinary incontinence, and frequent trips to the bathroom at night, an overactive bladder is an uncomfortable, often embarrassing medical condition. Along with other therapies, doctors can prescribe medication to people with overactive bladders to afford relief.
During urination, muscles in the urethra relax, which allows the elimination of urine. In people with overactive bladders, these muscles can contract at the wrong time, such as when the bladder contains very little urine. As a result, a person may experience a frequent urge to urinate.
Problems with urinary sphincter muscles can result from numerous medical conditions, including:
Other factors, like excessive alcohol intake, certain medicines, and age-related cognitive decline, can also contribute to bladder dysfunction.
To address unwanted contraction of the urinary sphincter muscles, doctors can prescribe medications that relax the bladder. In addition to relieving feelings of discomfort, these medications can also prevent bouts of urinary incontinence. For women experiencing bladder overactivity during menopause, oestrogen therapy can boost the strength of muscles responsible for urination, thereby preventing incontinence.
When it comes to more severe forms of the condition, doctors can use Botox injections to relax the muscles involved in urination. However, this treatment comes with risks like urine retention and increased risk of urinary tract infections. In the event that medication and other treatments do not provide relief from overactive bladder, surgery is usually the next option.