About Overactive Bladder (OAB)
You’re not alone. Most people feel uncomfortable discussing bladder control problems with their friends, family and even their doctor. Yet, more than 33 million Americans deal with OAB and face symptoms such as leaking, urgency and/or frequency.
Overactive bladder can wreak havoc on active women’s lives.
A recent survey conducted by the National Association for Continence (NAFC) pointed out the significant impact OAB has on women’s lives.
Survey participants (women ages 45-60) reported that their OAB made them:
- alter their behavior in social situations
- refrain from both normal physical activity and intense physical activity
- refrain from physical intimacy
- cancel plans with friends and family
- be less productive or miss time at work
Survey Results
50% of women surveyed worry they will never be able to completely control the symptoms of OAB
26% of the women surveyed are more concerned about managing their OAB symptoms than saving for retirement
Many OAB sufferers struggle for years before realizing they have a treatable condition
- Nearly 80% of the women who are being treated said that the years of frustration from living with debilitating symptoms finally led them to seek treatment
- Nearly 75% of the women surveyed said that they waited longer than they should have to seek treatment
Many continue on medication that doesn’t work as well as they’d like, in part because they don’t know that other options exist.
- 25% of the women currently being treated for OAB were not satisfied with their treatment, despite many being on medication for up to two years
- 44% percent of women currently being treated for OAB said that they would consider changing therapies if their physician recommended a different course of treatment
88% of the women surveyed had turned to medication to manage their condition, with 51 percent of women reporting use of Kegel exercises to try to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
Treatment Options for Overactive Bladder
There is a range of treatment options available for overactive bladder (OAB), from behavioral modification and physical therapy, to neurostimulation. Â
Visit the websites below to learn more:
- NEXT: Patient Stories
- Incontinence is the loss of bladder control.
- Urinary incontinence affects more than
33 million Americans. - Incontinence affects people of all ages - young and old - both sexes, and people
of all races. - Incontinence is not a disease; it is not
part of being a woman; and it is not a
normal part of aging. - Incontinence is a symptom with many causes, so it is important to talk to your doctor and seek treatment.
FEATURED PATIENT STORY OF HOPE
Julie R, Age 44
Wisconsin
Julie’s ‘moment’ occurred when she realized her condition was causing her to withdraw from society. Julie is a social person, and she got to the point where not only did she not leave the house, but she didn’t even want friends and family in her home.
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