Overactive bladder

Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
View the Mayo Diet Book

Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff
  • Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight, losing weight may ease your symptoms. Heavier people are also at greater risk of stress urinary incontinence, which may also be improved with weight loss.
  • Following a fluid schedule. Ask your doctor how much fluid you need daily. People who are safely able to reduce their fluid intake by about 25 percent may experience a decrease in overactive bladder symptoms.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol. If caffeinated and alcoholic beverages worsen your symptoms, it might be wise to avoid these.
Alternative medicine Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Cartwright R, et al. Current management of overactive bladder. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008;20:489.
  2. Carr RJ. Urinary incontinence. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3036304. Accessed Aug. 2, 2010.
  3. Tanagho EA, et al. Urinary incontinence. In: Tanagho EA, et al. Smith's General Urology. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3129492. Accessed Aug. 2, 2010.
  4. Overactive bladder. American Urological Association. http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=450. Accessed Aug. 2, 2010.
  5. What I need to know about Bladder Control for Women. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/bcw_ez/. Accessed Aug. 2, 2010.
  6. Ellsworth PI, et al. Frequently asked questions in the evaluation and management of overactive bladder. Journal of Family Practice. 2009;58supp:1.
  7. Hartmann KE, et al. Treatment of overactive bladder in women. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/bladder/bladder.pdf. Accessed Aug. 2, 2010.
  8. DuBeau CE. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 2, 2010.
  9. Urodynamic testing. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/urodynamic/. Accessed Aug. 2, 2010.
  10. DuBeau CE. Treatment of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 2, 2010.
  11. Anger JT, et al. Outcomes of intravesical botulinum toxin for idiopathic overactive bladder symptoms: A systematic review of the literature. The Journal of Urology. 2010;183:2258.
  12. Lightner DJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 4, 2010.
  13. Subak LL, et al. Weight loss to treat urinary incontinence in overweight and obese women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:481.
DS00827 Sept. 28, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger