Overactive Bladder

Having a sudden urge to urinate – and feeling as if you have no control over stopping it – is a common symptom of an overactive bladder. The fellowship-trained, board-certified urogynecology team at North Atlanta Ob/Gyn in Alpharetta, Marietta, and Atlanta, Georgia, offer evaluations and treatments for this common yet inconvenient condition. If you think you’re suffering from an overactive bladder, call the nearest office or request an appointment online today.

What are the symptoms of overactive bladder?

An overactive bladder is a different condition than stress urinary incontinence, which involves involuntary urine leakage during activity.

Overactive bladder describes a group of urinary symptoms, including:

• A sudden urge to urinate that you can’t control
• Leaking of urine when you feel an urge
• Urinating several times during the night or frequently during the day

Never feel embarrassed to ask for help from the board-certified urogynecology team at North Atlanta Ob/Gyn if you experience any of these symptoms. Left untreated, an overactive bladder can interfere with your sleep, work, and social activities. 

What causes an overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder often occurs when the nerve signals between your bladder and your brain get mixed up. These nerves may tell your bladder to empty, even when it isn’t full. In some cases, your bladder muscles or pelvic floor muscles may be overactive and contract to pass urine before your bladder is full.

Aging and some diseases that affect your nervous system increase your risk of developing an overactive bladder.

How is overactive bladder treated?

The North Atlanta Ob/Gyn team offers a variety of treatments for overactive bladder. 

Conservative measures like lifestyle changes, such as specific pelvic floor exercises, and avoiding certain bladder-irritating beverages – such as those containing caffeine – may be enough to calm your bladder activity. You may also undergo a process of retraining your bladder by teaching it to hold urine even when you feel an urge to go.

In some cases, medications like Botox® can help relax your bladder muscle and calm overactive nerves within it. The North Atlanta Ob/Gyn team may also recommend innovative laser treatments with MonaLisa Touch® to help you regain control over your bladder. 

When conservative measures fail to offer you meaningful symptom relief, your provider may recommend certain surgical procedures that can help improve your quality of life. Your provider reviews your treatment options and recommends the one that’s best for your symptoms, lifestyle, and needs.

If you’re one of the millions of women in the United States suffering from an overactive bladder, consult with the team at North Atlanta Ob/Gyn. Call the nearest office or request an appointment online today.