An overactive bladder may be temporary or become a chronic condition. How long the symptoms last may depend on factors like the underlying cause and treatment adherence.

Some conditions may cause an overactive bladder for a few days, but these symptoms will resolve as the underlying cause is managed. In other cases, overactive bladder is a chronic condition that requires ongoing and long-term treatment.

An overactive bladder causes a sudden, uncomfortable urge to urinate, with or without involuntary leakage of urine. It’s often accompanied by discomfort and excessive nighttime urination (nocturia).

The duration of overactive bladder symptoms varies from person to person. The symptoms may be temporary or chronic.

Temporary overactive bladder symptoms are often a result of medication side effects or urinary tract infections (UTIs). These symptoms typically resolve as you stop the medication or treat the UTI.

When overactive bladder symptoms are associated with an underlying chronic condition like diabetes, neurological disorders, or age-related changes in bladder function, symptoms may last a long time.

The frequency and intensity of overactive bladder symptoms may differ. For instance, the sudden urge to urinate may come and go, while frequent urination or leakage might occur more regularly.

No cure has been found for chronic overactive bladder, and lifelong treatment is often required. Symptoms such as urgency, frequency, and nocturia often become part of daily life in this case.

Treatment may lead to symptom relief, but stopping it could result in your symptoms coming back.

Overactive bladder treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms. The most common treatments include:

  • Lifestyle changes: Adjusting fluid intake and limiting caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods may ease symptoms. Managing your weight and relying on timed bathroom trips may also help.
  • Medications: Healthcare professionals may prescribe medications to relax bladder muscles.
    • Beta-3 agonists: Mirabegron (Myrbetriq) relaxes the bladder to reduce urgency.
  • Pelvic floor exercises: Kegel exercises may help strengthen pelvic muscles, improving bladder control and reducing leakage.
  • Bladder Botox injections: Botulinum toxin, also known as Botox, may calm overactive muscles and manage persistent urges to urinate.
  • Nerve stimulation: For people whose symptoms don’t respond to lifestyle changes or medication, some research suggests nerve stimulation may help manage bladder function and reduce the frequency of symptoms.
  • Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may help to increase bladder capacity or reduce bladder contractions, relieving some symptoms.

Combining lifestyle changes with medication may help control symptoms of overactive bladder. A 2020 clinical trial suggested that combining behavioral therapy with pharmaceutical treatment significantly improved symptoms compared to using drug therapy alone.

Untreated overactive bladder may lead to more persistent or severe symptoms.

Without treatment, an overactive bladder may cause:

  • Sleep disturbances: Waking frequently at night to urinate can disrupt sleep and cause daytime fatigue and mental health symptoms.
  • Reduced quality of life: An overactive bladder can lead to anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal due to discomfort or embarrassment.

Discontinuing treatment may result in your symptoms returning or becoming more severe. In most cases, healthcare professionals recommend ongoing management for chronic overactive bladder with follow-up visits every 2 to 3 months to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Consider seeing a healthcare professional if you experience any sudden or persistent symptoms of overactive bladder, especially if:

  • you urinate more than eight times a day, every day, but your fluid intake hasn’t changed
  • wake up more than twice at night to urinate
  • you notice blood in the urine
  • you have pelvic discomfort or painful urination
  • you experience sudden, severe urges that lead to accidents
  • home remedies or lifestyle changes don’t provide relief
  • symptoms disrupt your daily life, sleep, or social activities

Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms of overactive bladder effectively and prevent complications such as UTIs or bladder damage.

Symptoms of overactive bladder can be temporary or last a lifetime. Factors like the underlying cause and response to treatment are important factors.

While there’s no permanent cure for chronic overactive bladder, healthcare professionals manage symptoms effectively through behavioral changes, medications, and, in rare cases, surgery.

If you notice symptoms of an overactive bladder, like incontinence or persistent urges to urinate, consider visiting a healthcare professional. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe symptoms and may improve your quality of life.