Palliser Primary Care Network

Overactive Bladder

Kourtni Resch
May 1, 2026

What Does That Mean?

Overactive bladder is a condition that causes a sudden, strong urge to urinate, even when the bladder is not full. In some cases, one may not be able to reach the toilet in time, leading to urine leakage (incontinence). Overactive bladder can also cause poor sleep, emotional distress, and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) (Healthwise Staff, 2023).

This condition affects both men and women. Women tend to have symptoms at a younger age (around age 45) and men around age 65 (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

What Causes It?

Overactive bladder occurs when the bladder muscles contract involuntarily, causing urine to leak. These contractions may also be linked to conditions such as bladder infections, stress, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke (Healthwise Staff, 2023). Side effects of some medications can also add to symptoms.

If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Overactive bladder is typically diagnosed by a healthcare provider through a thorough assessment. This may include questions about your fluid intake, how often you empty your bladder, and any instances of urgency or leakage.

A urine sample is often taken to rule out other causes of symptoms, such as a UTI (My Health Alberta, 2023).

What Is The Treatment?

The first step in treatment is to speak to your healthcare provider. Keeping a bladder diary for 2 days before your appointment can be helpful. This includes tracking your symptoms, fluid intake, and urination pattern (The Canadian Continence Foundation, n.d.).

Treatment usually falls into two categories:

Lifestyle Interventions

• Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises – Strengthen the muscles that help support the bladder and help control urination (The Canadian Continence Foundation, n.d.).
• Bladder retraining – Involves following a regular schedule for urination and slowly increasing the time between bathroom visits (The Canadian Continence Foundation, n.d.)
• Managing your diet – Limiting caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, and spicy or acidic foods to help reduce symptoms (Cleveland Clinic, 2022)

Medications

• Prescription medications which help the bladder relax and store more urine can reduce bladder contractions and improve symptoms of urgency and incontinence (The Canadian Continence Foundation, n.d.)
• Common prescription medications to manage overactive bladder include:
  • Anticholinergics (oxybutynin)
  • Beta-3 agonists (mirabegron) (Cleveland Clinic, 2022)

Conclusion

Overactive bladder is a common condition that can impact daily life, but effective management strategies are available. With proper assessment, lifestyle and medication changes, many people can improve their symptoms and quality of life. Speaking to your healthcare provider is an important step in developing a treatment plan that might work for you.