If you suffer from an Overactive Bladder (OAB), or urge incontinence, you have likely tried some form of treatment to manage your symptoms. But you may not be aware of the plethora of options that are available to you. Read on to learn about some of the options and then use our new OAB Treatment Tracker to get a customized report that can help point you in the right direction and provide you with a report that you can use to discuss your options with your doctor for the best treatment option for your OAB symptoms.
Absorbent Pads
You may cringe when you hear absorbent pads, but they can help you manage simple leaks as you decide what course of action you will want to ultimately take. Some people use these indefinitely, although there are other options that may work well for you and provide a more permanent solution. Be sure to try a variety of products and fits to find one that works best for you.
Behavioral Modifications
Getting in shape and eating well does more than just make you look good. Working the right muscles can also help keep your pelvic floor strong and give you more control over your bladder. The best way to learn how to do this is by finding a trained physical therapist who can provide you with customized workouts and ensure you are working the right muscles correctly.
Medications
There are lots of medications on the market that treat OAB symptoms. Most work by calming the bladder muscles to prevent incidences of OAB from happening. Even if you have not had luck with one medication, don’t lose heart. Medications work differently for everyone and it’s possible that you may need to try a couple before you find one that works for you. Talk to your doctor about your options to determine what may work best for you.
Procedures
Did you know that there are simple procedures that can be done in a doctor’s office that may greatly improve your OAB symptoms? Sacral Neuromodulation (like InterStim and Axonics Therapy), implantable PTSN systems (like Altaviva and eCoin) and at-home, external neuromodulation devices (like Elitone URGE) are procedures that stimulate nerves in the body that connect to the bladder to help reduce symptoms, while Botox injections can help calm nerves that trigger the Overactive Bladder muscle.
Surgery
For those who have tried multiple treatment options and would like something more permanent, several surgical procedures may work well for you. There are procedures that can increase the size of your bladder to store more urine, and the popular mid-urethral sling (for those experiencing stress incontinence), in which material is placed beneath the urethra to help support it.
The best course of action is always to talk with your doctor about your specific situation and the options that are available to you. He or she will be your guide to understanding the ins and outs of the different treatments.
Can You Get Help For Determining the best treatment option for your OAB symptoms?
To get a more customized report that you can review with your doctor, try out our OAB Treatment Tracker. It will help point you in the right direction and provide you with some options and an account of your treatment history to discuss with your doctor.
