What's My Problem? I Feel I Need to Empty My Bladder All the Time! (Video)
Do the symptoms you experience mean that you could have an overactive bladder? Is this a common problem? Why do some women have to empty their bladder on a regular basis while others can hang on for hours?
Published on Feb 01, 2011
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What might you experience if you have an overactive bladder?
These are the most common statements women who struggle with this condition make;
"My bladder is constantly on my mind. I keep going to the toilet ’just in case’'
“My bladder wakes me a few times at night and I need to pass urine”
“Whenever I put my key in the door to let myself in I panic as I suddenly need to wee and I often don’t get to the toilet in time”
How common is this condition and what are the symptoms?
An over active bladder effects around 11% of women in the UK. It can occur at any age and may be something that has been bothersome since childhood.
Symptoms often become worse after menopause due to the tissue changes that occur in both the vagina and the urethra (the tube that urine passes through when leaving the body)
Women with an overactive bladder problem commonly describe all or a few of these symptoms;
The sudden feeling that they desperately need to empty their bladder. This is called urgency. It is often triggered by events such as putting the key in the door, listening to the sound of running water and feeling cold. There may also be times when the sensation of urgency comes without any warning at all.
Having to empty their bladder more than 8 times a day and sometimes more than once at night. This problem is referred to as frequency.
Wetting their clothes before they reach the toilet. This can be a really distressing problem and is called urge incontinence
So why have I developed an overactive bladder?
Symptoms of an overactive bladder can appear for no reason although there seems to be a family trait and it may be something that is more common in some families than others down the generations. The problem can be made worse by some of the things we do to try and cope.
So do you;
Have so little confidence in your ability to hang on that you go to the toilet ‘ just in case’. This may mean your bladder never fills to its maximum capacity and over a period of time could become smaller. A small bladder holds less urine and needs to be emptied more often.
Reduce your fluid intake to under the recommended intake (around 1.5 to 2 litres a day). Drinking less can make bladder symptoms worse as the urine becomes more concentrated. Strong urine irritates the bladder lining making it more sensitive and increasing its need to be emptied more often.
Could there be any other reason for these symptoms?
Sensations of urgency can be due to an overactive bladder but are also commonly caused by a urine infection.
A simple urine test by your GP will show if you have an infection and whether it needs treatment with antibiotics.
There are other less common conditions giving overactive bladder symptoms such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes. You should see your GP if you have any concerns or if you experience pain when passing urine. Any evidence of blood in urine needs further investigation.
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