Overactive bladder (OAB) is common for men. Talking about it isn’t.
Many men often overlook their OAB symptoms of urgency, frequency, and leakage, hoping they will go away on their own. OAB symptoms may also be confused for the prostate-related symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlarged prostate.
However, OAB is a different chronic condition, and symptoms may worsen over time if not treated. While OAB cannot be cured, it can be managed.
Think you may have OAB? Here’s what to look for:
Normal bladder function means your brain triggers that “gotta-go” feeling when your bladder is full. With OAB, you feel you need to empty your bladder – even when it’s not full.
You should ask your doctor about OAB if you experience one or more of these symptoms:
Feeling a sudden urge to urinate right away (urgency)
Peeing more than 8 times a day (frequency)
Often having trouble “holding it” (urge urinary incontinence/leakage) or experiencing leaking before you can make it to the bathroom
Print this tool and bring it to your next doctor's appointment to help start the discussion about your symptoms.
Know the difference between OAB and BPH
Because OAB and BPH have similar symptoms, the diagnosis of OAB may be overlooked. It’s important to ask your doctor to screen for both, as different medicines are used for each condition.
This is not a full list of all OAB or BPH symptoms. GEMTESA is indicated to treat the 3 key symptoms of OAB (leakage episodes, urgency, and frequency). OAB and BPH are different conditions and treated with different medicines.
In OAB, nerve signals are telling the bladder to empty even when it isn’t full — resulting in that “can’t hold it in” feeling.
In BPH, the enlarged prostate is pushing on the urethra, causing that “have to pee but can’t get it out” feeling — resulting in just a dribble.
These are just a few ways men may try to control their OAB before seeking treatment:
- Limiting liquids
- Wearing liners
- Diet changes — cutting out certain foods/beverages
- Planning trips around bathroom availability
- Mapping restrooms
- Emptying bladder multiple times in a short time frame
- Bringing extra clothes
- Carrying empty containers for times when they cannot find a bathroom quickly
Why cope longer than you may have to? There’s a treatment option that may help.
Treating BPH alone may not be enough
If you’re already treating BPH and you are still bothered by OAB symptoms, the problem may not be your prostate — it may be a bladder issue. Ask your doctor to screen for both OAB and BPH, as different medicines are used for each condition.
- BPH is usually treated with a prescription treatment called an “alpha blocker” or 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors — and sometimes surgery
- OAB is usually treated with either:
- Beta3-agonists (β3-agonists), which work to lessen OAB symptoms by helping the bladder muscle relax so it can hold more urine, or
- Anticholinergics (AChs), which work to lessen OAB symptoms by helping to stop involuntary bladder contractions (when the bladder squeezes itself without your control)
If you’re on BPH medicine but are still feeling symptoms such as urgency — a sudden urge to go — it may be time to ask your doctor about an OAB treatment option.
See How OAB Treatment May Help
