PATIENT HANDOUT ® . levator levator Patient and fluids.

Muscle training, such as such Muscle training, www.menopause.org The

Female Female over restrict and Certain foods and beverages beverages and Certain foods Once a woman has learned how At least one study suggests that acu- www.femalepatient.com muscle, a broad, thin muscle on the side of your pel- Your doctor may prescribeYour a medicine block to the nerve signals that cause frequent and relax help can medications Anticholinergic urgency. bladder muscles and prevent bladder spasms. Some of the medicines may you already be taking might be affecting the nerves and muscles of the uri- nary tract and contribute bladder to control problems. available is medicine alternative an if doctor your Ask and see if it solves your urinary problem. There are also several surgical techniques available to detrusor including treat OAB, injection Clostridium of botulinum type toxin A (better nerve known as Botox), stimulation, and other methods. When other therapies fail, one of these may be an option.

Avoid bladder irritants. soft cola coffee, as (such acid or caffeine in high are that drinks, grapefruit juice, and tomatoes) can contribute to bladder. irritating the of lining by the OAB Develop pelvic floor strength. vis. Massage and stretching may also improve OAB symptoms. bladder. your Retrain isolateto and contract her pelvic floor muscles, she can contract these muscles at the first sensation of the urge urinate.to This technique can suppress the feeling of having the go bathroom. to to Women who do not have OAB but feel they need urinate to frequently can also use this process suppress to the urge and thus extend the intervals between trips the toilet. to Acupuncture. puncture may improve OAB symptoms. doing Kegel exercises strengthen to your pelvic muscles, involves learning isolate how to and contract the ani Where can I learnWhere more? inconti- urge of overview Health of Institutes National www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov bladder at nence/overactive /pubmedhealth/PMH0002250. Clinic Mayo the from bladder overactive Basics of www.mayoclinic.com/health/overactive-bladder at /DS00827. If these lifestyle options aren’t effective, effective, If these lifestyle options aren’t can I try? what other treatments • • • ounces per day. It is possible, however, that too little fluid fluid little too that however, possible, is It day. per ounces your irritate can that urine concentrated very cause can to not sure be So bladder. and The North American Menopause Society grant permission to reproduce this handout for the purposes of patient education. to reproduce The Female Patient is defined as the leaking or gush- is the bothersome need to urinate urinate to need bothersome the is 3/12 is the sudden, strong need to urinate urinate to need strong sudden, the is Women who normally drink large is when a woman wakes up at night urinate. to

veractive bladder is a common and and a common is bladder veractive many affects that problem embarrassing beyond and during, before, women A downloadable version of this patient handout is also available at:

OAB affects of the general 16.6% female population in immediately. incontinence Urge ing of urine that follows a sudden, strong urge. Urinaryfrequency eight or or more two or times more a day, times at night.

menopause. most The common are symptoms occasional with urinate, to urges sudden frequent, leakage. Several treatments are available. amounts of liquids should limit their intake about to 64 Are there nondrug and nonsurgical nondrug there Are strategies for managing OAB? your doctor may recommendYes, somethe of following lifestyle options: fluids. Restrict • • • How will I know if I have OAB? include: OAB of Symptoms • (OAB) is a condition in which nerves send signals the bladder to at the wrong time, causing the muscles in the bladder squeeze wall to without warn- ing. The most common symptoms are frequent, sudden urine experience women Occasionally, urinate. to urges times seven to up bathroom the to go to Having leakage. a day is normal for many women, but women with OAB frequently. more even urinate to need they that find may OAB is a common and potentially embarrassing problem that affects many women before, during, and beyond menopause. the United States. It becomes more common as women age. The involuntary lossof urine can be unpleasant, dis- tressing, and may significantly affect quality a woman’s of life. Women with OAB often attempt cope to with symptoms on their own instead seeking of help because embar- feel care, health to access good have don’t they rassed, or are unaware that treatment is available for this condition. Don’t be embarrassed! There are many treat- you. help can doctor your and options, ment What is overactive bladder? in Midlife Women in Midlife Overactive Bladder Bladder Overactive What You Should Know About About Know Should You What O