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Overactive Bladder

How Much Do You Know About an Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder is a health problem that can have a debilitating effect on nearly every part of daily living. It can cause isolation, depression, guilt, denial, fatigue from sleeplessness, work absenteeism and problems with relationships.

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Urological Health 

Urogynecologists (an obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in the care of women with pelvic floor dysfunction) and general ob/gyn physicians on the medical staff at Baylor offer comprehensive evaluation of female bladder and pelvic floor function, include urodynamics testing and cystoscopy. A broad spectrum of management and treatment options include:

  • Biofeedback
  • Diet Modification
  • Bladder Retraining
  • Medications
  • Support Devices
  • Surgical Option

Causes of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is often triggered by other diseases or problems that affect your body.

They Include:

  • Bladder muscles that are weak or overactive
  • Thinning of the skin in the vagina or urethra in women, particularly after menopause
  • Pelvic muscles weakened or stretched by childbirth
  • Conditions that affect bladder control, like multiple sclerosis, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Obesity
  • Chronic cough

Stress incontinence is a urine leakage that happens during activity that causes pressure on the bladder such as laughing, coughing or sneezing.

Urge incontinence is a urine leakage that occurs before a woman has a chance to get to the restroom in response to an urge to urinate. Women with this type of leakage may also experience frequent urge to urinate.

Treatment Options

Stress incontinence can be effectively treated with pelvic floor exercises, devices that block the loss of urine, or surgery. Urge incontinence is commonly treated with medications, biofeedback, or electrical stimulation to the nerves that control the bladder. The important thing to note is there are a wide variety of non-surgical and surgical treatment options. Discuss treatment options with your doctor or search for an urogynecologist.

Pelvic Disorders

For the millions of women who experience urinary incontinence and other voiding dysfunctions, Baylor offers specialized care for women with such conditions.

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