Key Takeaways:
- Overactive bladder in men has risen by almost 30% in the last 15 years.
- There are many treatment options available for men with OAB, including pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle changes, and incontinence medications.
- Men with overactive bladder may qualify to receive insurance-covered protective products to manage leakage with Aeroflow Urology.
Overactive bladder, a condition characterized by frequent and sudden urges to urinate, is increasingly affecting men in the United States.
A recent study found that the prevalence of overactive bladder in men rose from 11.3% in 2005-2008 to 14.5% in 2015-2020, highlighting a significant upward trend.
Find out what you can do to prevent overactive bladder from developing and how to manage symptoms if you’ve been diagnosed.
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What Are the Causes of Overactive Bladder in Men?
What Are the Symptoms of Overactive Bladder in Men?
Why Is Overactive Bladder Increasing in Men?
How Do You Treat Overactive Bladder in Men?
How to Get Men’s Incontinence Supplies Covered by Insurance
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What Is Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder (OAB), also sometimes called urge incontinence, is a type of urinary incontinence. According to Yale Medicine, around 30% of men in the United States experience OAB.
What Are the Causes of Overactive Bladder in Men?
Typical bladder function consists of the kidneys producing urine and it flowing into the bladder. Your bladder then expands to hold urine, and the sphincter muscle holds the urine, preventing leakage. When your bladder becomes halfway full, the nerve signals to and from the bladder and the brain coordinate so your sphincter relaxes as urine flows out of the bladder when voiding.
In men (and women) with OAB, this process is disrupted, causing symptoms of OAB and urinary leakage.
What Are the Symptoms of Overactive Bladder in Men?
Symptoms of OAB in men can include:
- Feeling the frequent and sudden urge to urinate, known as urinary urgency, resulting in leakage.
- Frequent urination due to the feeling of a full bladder (typically more than 8 times in 24 hours).
- Waking up at night to empty the bladder (nocturia).
Why Is Overactive Bladder Increasing in Men?
A recent report that studied the prevalence of OAB in US men from 2005 to 2020 found that cases of OAB increased from 11.3% in 2005-2008 to 14.5% in 2015-2020.
The study showed that OAB was more prevalent among non-Hispanic White men and non-Hispanic Black men who were 40-59 years old. The study also found that more non-Hispanic White men and non-Hispanic Black men who were overweight or obese were more likely to have OAB.
The research suggests that age, diet, socioeconomic status, education, smoking, hypertension, sleep time, chronic conditions, food security, health insurance, and other comorbidities in men are likely to be the cause of the rise in OAB in specific populations.
How Do You Treat Overactive Bladder in Men?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of OAB or have been diagnosed with the condition, there are many treatment options available at home and with the help of your healthcare provider.
Speak With Your Healthcare Provider, No Matter How Embarrassing It May Feel
It’s very common for men not to discuss symptoms of urinary incontinence with their healthcare providers because it may leave them feeling emasculated, weak, or impotent.
A study from the National Association for Continence (NAFC) found that 27% of men who experience incontinence don’t discuss it with their providers despite having symptoms. The same study found that only 1 in 3 men sought treatment for their incontinence symptoms.
However, not seeking help may negatively affect your quality of life. It’s essential to speak with your healthcare provider or urologist about any OAB symptoms you’re experiencing so you can make a plan to regain continence.
Your provider will ask about your medical history, the amount of urine you’re leaking, and other symptoms of OAB you’re experiencing. They may also perform tests to diagnose incontinence, such as a urinalysis.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Making specific lifestyle changes at home can decrease your risk of developing OAB symptoms and possibly reverse symptoms based on your specific cause.
- Avoid bladder irritants. Some foods are known to irritate the bladder, including spicy foods, tomato-based products, dairy (for some), citrus, alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks. These foods and beverages may cause bladder irritation and bladder contractions, leading to OAB symptoms. Speak with your provider about cutting these foods and drinks out of your diet safely if you think they may be causing OAB symptoms.
- Stay hydrated. While it may seem like increasing fluid intake might increase OAB symptoms, being dehydrated can actually increase symptoms of incontinence in some cases. Stay hydrated with water and other clear fluids throughout the day, but speak with your provider about cutting back before bed to reduce nocturia.
- Exercise your pelvic floor. If your pelvic floor is weakened by certain factors (excess weight, aging, etc.), you may be able to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by performing pelvic floor exercises such as Kegel exercises for men. Work these exercises into your daily workout routine if you’re capable. Many men also have high-tone pelvic floor muscles (muscles are in a state of contraction), so getting an evaluation from a pelvic floor therapist may be helpful to individualize specific stretches and exercises to help with your OAB.
- Keep a bladder diary. A bladder diary keeps track of what you eat and drink, your bathroom usage, and any other factors that may increase your incontinence symptoms. Use Aeroflow Urology’s bladder diary to track your lifestyle habits and determine what may be causing your OAB symptoms.
Try Overactive Bladder Medications
Speak with your healthcare provider about OAB medications, such as anticholinergics, to help with bladder control. These medications relax the bladder muscles, decreasing bladder contractions and OAB symptoms. Your provider may also suggest bladder botox to help control your symptoms.
Look Into Overactive Bladder Procedures
You can also speak with your healthcare provider about procedures that may help with OAB, such as sacral neuromodulation and posterior tibial nerve stimulation (stimulation of the nerves to lessen symptoms of OAB).
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Aleece Fosnight
Aleece Fosnight, MSPAS, PA-C, CSC-S, CSE, NCMP, IF, HAES is a Medical Advisor and Writer for Aeroflow Urology and a board-certified physician assistant specializing in sexual medicine, women’s health, and urology. In 2019, she opened up her own private practice, the Fosnight Center for Sexual Health, and implemented the sexual health grand rounds curriculum at her local hospital and residency program.
Aleece is also the founder of the Fosnight Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and training of professionals in the sexual health field and providing funding for access to healthcare services in her local community.
About the Author
Marlee Septak is the Editorial Lead at Aeroflow Urology and was a past Content Writer for Aeroflow Diabetes. She brings a deep understanding of incontinence and health conditions associated with it to her writing. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago and holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Marlee has contributed to various magazines and blogs, including Borgen Magazine, Echo Magazine, Chicago Ideas Week, Assuaged, and Peaceful Dumpling. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and just sitting down with a good book.
References
Overactive Bladder. (n.d.). Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/overactive-bladder#:~:text=Up%20to%2030%25%20of%20men
Cheng, Y., Chen, T., Zheng, G., Song, Z., Zhang, G., Rao, X., Zeng, T., & Yuan, C. (2024). Prevalence and trends in overactive bladder among men in the United States, 2005–2020. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 16284. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66758-8
Jenkins, S. (2019, November 5). Overcoming The Stigma Of Incontinence. National Association for Continence. https://nafc.org/bhealth-blog/overcoming-the-stigma-of-incontinence/
Disclaimer
Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence.
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