The way we often describe bladder mechanics is similar to that of a balloon filling with air or water. Urine is produced by our kidneys and is passed through to the bladder via tubes called the ureters. As the bladder fills, the muscular walls of the bladder will stretch to accommodate the fluid. In a “normal” bladder system, urine is kept inside the bladder by the urethral system, which enables us to prevent the involuntary loss of urine whilst we fill our bladder, until there is an appropriate time and place to empty. There are many factors which contribute to our urethral closure pressure, one of which includes the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Approximately 4-7 times throughout the day, and possibly once at night is considered normal.

Overactive bladder syndrome is defined by a combination of the following symptoms:

Urgency – a sudden, intense need to pass urine that is difficult to defer.

Frequency – a need to empty your bladder several times throughout the day which you consider to be bothersome (usually more than 7);

Nocturia – waking up more than once at night to go to the toilet.

The causes of OAB can be multifactorial however essentially are often due to the bladder muscle (detrusor) squeezing to empty your urine either too often, without warning or when you specifically do not want it to. Unfortunately, if you have had a previous surgery for stress urinary incontinence you may also be more likely to experience symptoms of overactive bladder.