When should women seek help for an overactive bladder?

Millions of women deal with symptoms of overactive bladder—yet studies show that women wait an average of 6.5 years before seeking professional help. We understand the embarrassment that makes people suffer in silence; overactive bladder, and the leaks that come along with it, are not something anyone wants to talk about! But the most important thing to remember is this: you’re not alone. Here are five overactive bladder symptoms to help you decide if it’s time to talk with your doctor.rnrn rn

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1. Sudden Urges. Women with overactive bladder syndrome often experience a sudden and intense urge to urinate. It may come at any time of day, whether or not you’ve had anything to drink. The urge to urinate may come after you’ve already emptied your bladder, and you may have trouble making it to the restroom in time.

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2. Frequent Going. Do you keep track of how many times a day you urinate? If you’re concerned about overactive bladder, you might want to start. If you haven’t recently increased your fluid intake and you’re not taking any diuretic medication, you shouldn’t need to urinate more than eight times in a 24-hour period. Each trip can yield as much as a cup and a half of urine.

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3. Nighttime Urges. If you have an overactive bladder, your urge to urinate may wake you up in the night—this symptom is called “nocturia,” and it gets more common as we age. If you’re getting up more than twice in one night to urinate, it’s time to talk to your doctor.

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4. Frequent Leakage. We’ve all had moments throughout our lives when we really thought we might not make it to the restroom. But when you have an overactive bladder, these “pee panic” moments can be a daily occurrence—and they often end in accidents. If you often lose control of your bladder before you reach the restroom, it’s time to seek professional guidance.

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5. Disrupted Lifestyle. Do you ever find yourself scoping out a restaurant or museum to make sure you know where the nearest restroom is? Do you avoid long car rides or remote locations? Or has the frequent need to urinate caused you to avoid social situations altogether? Overactive bladder can become a quality of life issue, so don’t wait to seek treatment.

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rn rnrnUntil you and your doctor determine how to address your overactive bladder symptoms, protective women’s incontinence underwear can help ensure that you can face each day with confidence. Not sure which incontinence pads or garments are right for you? Take our interactive quiz now to find your perfect fit.