Overactive bladder: what it is and what you can do today

Overactive bladder (OAB) means you get strong urges to pee, often rush to the toilet, and sometimes leak urine. It can be annoying, interrupt sleep, and affect your plans. The good news: many people improve symptoms with simple steps, therapy, or medication. Below are clear, practical tips you can try right away and what to expect from medical care.

Quick fixes you can try at home

Start with a bladder diary. For three days, note when you drink, when you pee, urgency level, and any leaks. That helps you and your clinician spot patterns. Cut back on caffeine, alcohol, and fizzy drinks—these irritate the bladder. Try shifting fluids earlier in the day to reduce nighttime trips.

Practice timed voiding. Go to the toilet on a set schedule (for example every 2 hours) and gradually increase the time between visits. When you feel a sudden urge, try urge-suppression techniques: sit down, squeeze your pelvic floor muscles, breathe slowly, and wait 30–60 seconds. Often the feeling passes.

Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) help both men and women. Tighten the muscles you’d use to stop urine, hold 3–5 seconds, relax 3–5 seconds, and repeat 10 times, three times daily. If you’re unsure which muscles to work, a pelvic floor therapist can show you how and speed up results.

Treatments your doctor might recommend

If lifestyle steps aren’t enough, medication can help. Two main groups are antimuscarinics (like oxybutynin or tolterodine) and beta-3 agonists (mirabegron). Antimuscarinics reduce bladder spasms but can cause dry mouth and constipation. Mirabegron often has fewer drying side effects but can raise blood pressure in some people—so your doctor will check your heart health.

For persistent OAB, options include onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injected into the bladder, nerve stimulation (sacral neuromodulation), or targeted physical therapy. These are more invasive but effective for many who don’t respond to pills.

Before starting any treatment, expect basic tests: a urine test to rule out infection, a review of medicines that might worsen symptoms, and a post-void residual check to see how well your bladder empties. Your clinician may ask for a urodynamic study if the diagnosis isn’t clear.

When to see a doctor now: if you have blood in urine, fever, sudden inability to urinate, severe pain, or if leaks are getting worse. Also see help if OAB interferes with work, sleep, or mood—treatment can make a big difference.

Want to learn more about specific drugs or safe ways to buy medication online? Check our guides on treatments and safe pharmacies. OAB is common and treatable—small changes often lead to big improvements.