When you have an overactive bladder, this means that you get a sudden, urgent need to urinate. You may have trouble controlling this urge, which can lead to leaking urine (incontinence).

Signs and symptoms of an overactive bladder may include:

• Feeling a sudden urge to urinate that you can’t control
• Incontinence (involuntary leaking of urine)
• Needing to urinate very often – typically eight or more times in each 24-hour day
• Needing to visit the bathroom to urinate two or more times during the night

There are a variety of factors and conditions that can lead to overactive bladder, such as:

• Acute urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Bladder stones
• Bladder tumors 
• Certain medications, including those that increase your urine output or require you to increase your fluid intake
• Constipation 
• Consuming too much caffeine or alcohol
• Diabetes
• Enlarged prostate gland (in men)
• Incomplete emptying of the bladder
• Neurological disorders, including stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS)

Overactive bladder is a fairly common condition – and it can impact many aspects of your life. You may feel embarrassed that you can’t control your urine, isolate yourself, and have problems with your work or social life due to this condition. The urologic experts at the University of Miami Health System are here to help you get your overactive bladder under control, so it no longer limits your life and activities.

Treatments

Lifestyle Modifications
Your urologist may recommend that you make certain lifestyle modifications – such as scheduling urination or losing weight, if needed – to try to reduce symptoms related to overactive bladder.

Medicines
Your urologist may prescribe a medicine that can relax the bladder, which can decreases symptoms related to overactive bladder.

Surgery
If your overactive bladder symptoms do not improve with other treatment options, your urologist may recommend surgery. The goal of a surgical procedure is to improve your bladder’s ability to store urine, as well as to decrease the pressure in your bladder that gives you the urgency to urinate frequently.

Tests

Physical Exam
Your urologist will perform a comprehensive physical exam – including gathering a medical history – in order to diagnose an overactive bladder.

Urine Tests
Your doctor may take a sample of your urine to check for any signs of infection or blood in the urine.

Neurological Exam
Your doctor may order a neurological exam to check for abnormalities of your brain, spinal cord, or nerves that could be contributing to your overactive bladder.

Why Choose UHealth?

Innovative, expert urology care at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. Our team of urology experts delivers advanced care for all urologic conditions. We use the latest research and the least invasive procedures to help you feel better and recover more quickly. Our experienced urologists design a personalized treatment plan to give you the best possible results.

Leaders in robotic surgery treatment. We have some of the world’s most experienced robotic surgeons for urologic procedures. In fact, doctors come from all over the world to learn at our Urology Robotic Program — the #1 ranked program in South Florida. The University of Miami Health System was the first academic medical center in the world to get the da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system and has completed more than 5,000 robotic surgeries — procedures that offer less pain and scarring and a faster recovery.

Multidisciplinary approach to care. Your team works closely with doctors in radiology, pathology, medical oncology, and other specialties for prompt, accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. You have a team of experts on your side.