Overactive Bladder Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore—Discover the Causes and How to Find Relief

Do you often feel a sudden, intense urge to urinate that disrupts your daily life? If so, you may be experiencing one of the most common overactive bladder symptoms. Understanding the signs to look for and what causes the condition can help you take back control. Here’s what you need to know.

What is an overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects at least 15 percent of women and can occur at any age, explains Carolyn Swenson, MD , Chief of the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at the University of Utah Health. “ Most of the patients I see are 50 or older, but overactive bladder has the youngest demographic of the pelvic floor conditions we manage,” she says.

The condition is marked by frequent, urgent urges to urinate that are difficult to control. OAB can occur with or without urinary leakage. “ It’s a subjective condition,” Dr. Swenson adds, “because it’s based on the patient’s perception of how much the symptoms interfere with their life.”

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Overactive bladder symptoms

Common symptoms of overactive bladder include:

• A sudden, uncontrollable need to urinate
• Frequent urination (more than eight times in 24 hours )
• Waking at night to urinate (known as nocturia )

“You may also experience leakage or urge incontinence , where the urgency is so intense you can’t reach the toilet in time,” Dr. Swenson says.

Some people may also feel like their bladder only partially empties, even after multiple bathroom trips. “It’s not uncommon for patients to describe a constant feeling of fullness or pressure,” says Dr. Swenson.

In addition to urgency and frequency, women with overactive bladder may notice chronic constipation , which can also worsen bladder symptoms. And though rarer, fecal incontinence can also occur with OAB. “In some cases, bladder and bowel control issues go hand-in-hand,” Dr. Swenson says.

What causes an overactive bladder?

OAB is what’s known as a multifactorial condition, meaning multiple factors can contribute to its development. Here are some of the most common causes of overactive bladder:

Bladder irritants

One of the biggest culprits behind overactive bladder symptoms is what we consume. Caffeine, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, nicotine and certain foods (like spicy or acidic fare) can irritate the bladder lining, triggering involuntary bladder contractions.

“When irritants get metabolized into urine, the bladder wants to get rid of them by contracting,” explains Dr. Swenson. This contraction causes the urgent need to urinate.

Excess fluid intake

We’ve all heard you should drink eight glasses of water a day, but according to Dr. Swenson, “that recommendation is based on no science.” Overhydration can actually overload the bladder, causing it to contract more frequently. “I see patients drinking 90 to 100 ounces of water a day, which makes their bladder work overtime,” she says.

For most people, 50 to 60 ounces of fluid per day is appropriate, though this varies based on your climate, metabolism and activity level, she says. The key is drinking to thirst—not forcing down more water than your body needs.

Mental and habitual triggers

OAB isn’t just physical—it can be triggered by mental associations. Dr. Swenson explains that the bladder is a habit-forming organ. “Some patients say they start to feel the urge to go as soon as they pull into their driveway or hear running water,” she says.

These subconscious triggers signal the bladder to contract even when it’s not full. Over time, these habits reinforce the urgency to urinate in situations where the brain associates an activity with using the bathroom.

Nerve-related conditions

Conditions including spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis can also disrupt communication between the brain and bladder, leading to OAB. “In these cases, the communication between the brain and the bladder is disrupted, and the bladder can start to do its own thing, leading to urgency and frequency,” Dr. Swenson notes.

Constipation

While constipation can sometimes be a symptom of OAB, it can also be a risk factor for the condition. “The nerves that control the bowel and bladder come from the same place in the spinal cord,” says Dr. Swenson. When the bowel isn’t functioning properly , it can trigger OAB symptoms. Sometimes, you treat overactive bladder simply by alleviating chronic constipation.

Certain medications and medical conditions

Some medications like diuretics , which increase urine production, can worsen overactive bladder symptoms. Medical conditions such as diabetes or urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also irritate the bladder. “If you have sugar in your urine, your bladder doesn’t like that, and it can cause urgency,” Dr. Swenson says. “The same goes for blood in the urine.”

To rule out these issues, a urinalysis is often one of the first tests your doctor will perform. “A urinalysis will tell us if there’s any evidence of infection, sugar or blood in the urine—all of which can lead to bladder irritation and urgency,” Dr. Swenson explains.

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Aging

The bladder muscles weaken over time, making OAB more common in older adults . What’s more, perimenopause and related hormonal shifts can impact bladder function and trigger overactive bladder symptoms.

The bottom line on overactive bladder

While overactive bladder can be frustrating and even embarrassing, know that millions of women experience the same challenges. Recognizing the symptoms of overactive bladder and understanding what causes OAB are crucial first steps toward finding relief and improving your quality of life.

Keep reading for more on bladder health

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4 Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Exercises That Block Bladder Leaks

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan .