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Overactive bladder (OAB), or needing to urinate urgently and frequently, and sometimes leaking urine, is very common. More than 3 in 10 American women have OAB, but the older you get, the more likely you are to develop OAB.
In many cases, OAB can be treated. But you can’t get treatment if you don’t talk to someone.
You can usually talk to your primary care provider (PAP) about your symptoms first. PAP often controls OAB, but you may also see a gynecologist, urologist, urologist, or geriatrician. No matter who you meet, it will be more helpful if you prepare for a consultation.
Here you’ll find simple ways to prepare yourself and make the most of your consultation.
1. Identify who will treat your OAB
You may also seek care from a doctor, registered nurse, or health care associate to help you with OAB. And these clinicians may have different specialties. It is a good idea to understand who will be treating you and what their specialties are.
primary care: Frequently diagnose and manage OAB with a focus on general health and preventive measures. If you need more specialized care, this specialist will refer you to a specialist.
obstetrics and gynecology: As a female reproductive health expert, you can diagnose and manage OAB. Depending on your symptoms and treatment needs, you may be referred to a urologist or urologist for further evaluation or specialized care.
urology: Specializes in the urinary system, including the bladder.
Urogynecology: Focuses on pelvic floor issues, including OAB and urinary incontinence.
geriatric medicine: Professional care for the elderly. Because up to half of women over age 65 experience OAB, clinicians in geriatric units routinely treat this disorder.
2. Keep a bladder diary for at least three days.
You can save your notes on your computer, phone, laptop, or download a urination or bladder diary. This gives the clinician a clearer idea of what is happening over time rather than trying to remember it when asking questions.
memo:
- What time did you go to bed and what time did you wake up?
- How many times did you wake up to urinate during the night?
- When, when and how much did you drink?
- When you feel the urge to urinate
- How much you urinate. If you want to measure accurately, you can use a measuring cup.
- If you have leakage, pain, burning, or discomfort in your bladder
3. Make a list of your medications
Some medications, such as diuretics (“water pills”), can trigger or worsen OAB symptoms, so make a list of all medications you take, including:
- prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter medications such as painkillers, antihistamines, etc.
- vitamins and supplements
4. Indicates how OAB affects you.
Your clinician will ask questions related to urination. However, it is important to understand how these symptoms affect your life.
- Avoid going out?
- Does frequent trips to the bathroom affect your work or activities?
- Do you feel tired when you wake up several times a night to urinate?
- Does OAB affect your relationships, social life, and sex life?
- Should I use incontinence pads, panty liners, or absorbent underwear? How often should I replace it?
5. Prepare a list of questions
It is not advisable to end the consultation only to remember the question later. If a question comes to mind, write it down in advance. This list can be long, so be sure to highlight the most important items so you can ask questions first if you can’t tell them all. You may have questions such as:
- What causes my symptoms?
- Should I get tested? So what tests should I get?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- What side effects may occur from treatment?
- Is there anything I can do at home to help?
6. communicate clearly
Clinicians prefer clear and direct wording to avoid confusion. There is no reason to be ashamed. Remember that OAB is common. You can start the conversation by saying something like:
- Having to get up frequently at night to urinate.
- I wake up too often and am exhausted to urinate, and it affects my work, day, or life.
- Sometimes you need to urinate so urgently that you can’t go to the bathroom.
- I’m leaking urine and it’s embarrassing. So I stopped my activities.
7. Before you go out, be sure to talk about what’s bothering you.
Make sure your questions and concerns are addressed. You might ask:
- Should I keep a bladder diary?
- What should I do if my symptoms get worse?
- When can I receive the test results?
- How long should I wait to find out if the treatment is working?
- When should I schedule a follow-up visit?
Factors that make living with OAB difficult
Anyone can develop OAB, but some groups are more affected. One study found that adults with OAB who face social or economic hardships are much more likely to feel the impact of OAB on their lives. This includes people like:
- Those people don’t have a job
- they have low income
- I don’t have enough food
- If you are homeless or have an unstable housing situation
- they don’t have health insurance
If you have been diagnosed with OAB but are worried about following your treatment plan or attending your appointments, mention this. There may be options your clinician can suggest, such as lower-cost medications, video conference consultations, or local resources.
This educational material was produced with the support of . Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.
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