Overactive Bladder Treatment Options

Though overactive bladder is a common medical condition, many patients may feel ashamed or embarrassed. However, it is important to communicate with your doctor about your overactive bladder so it can be properly treated. Overactive bladder can be treated with medication, behavior modification and changes in diet. In rare cases in which these treatments do not work or cannot be used, another treatment called sacral nerve stimulation with Interstim is available.

Medication

Medication is prescribed either in conjunction with behavior modification or after behavior modification has been tried unsuccessfully. The drugs most commonly prescribed by doctors to treat overactive bladder are Detrol-LA and Ditropan-XL. These drugs, also known as anticholinergic drugs or antispasmodics, prevent involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle by relaxing and stabilizing the muscle. Another medication called Tofranil, most often used for depression, can also help by calming the bladder.

Behavior Modification

Behavior modification consists of techniques that help strengthen and train pelvic muscles. Behavior modification techniques include bladder training, Kegel exercises and biofeedback. Bladder training, which can help control wetting accidents as well as frequency and urgency, consists of instruction about normal and abnormal urination and scheduling of urination.

Kegel exercises can help reduce or cure leakage by strengthening the sphincter muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor. Biofeedback therapy may be used to help ensure that the pelvic floor muscles are properly exercised. Biofeedback equipment is used to identify muscles that need to be exercised.

Diet Changes

Doctors often recommend that overactive bladder patients limit their intake of caffeine, which can irritate the bladder.

Interstim

Some people do not benefit from or cannot tolerate medications and behavior modification. For these people, sacral nerve stimulation with Interstim is an available treatment option. This is a procedure in which a neurostimulator device is inserted under the skin, near a nerve that affects bladder function, and sends electrical pulses to the sacral nerve. The sacral nerve affects bladder control muscles, and stimulation of this nerve can help improve overactive bladder. After the device is implanted, it can run for five to 10 years.