Overactive Bladder Treatment in London
A sudden, urgent need to pass urine can affect far more than your bladder. You may need to plan around toilets, wake repeatedly during the night or worry about leaking before you get there. Overactive bladder is common, and it is not something you simply need to live with.
Our consultant urologists provide discreet assessment and step-by-step treatment for overactive bladder in London, starting with the least invasive options and progressing only when further support is needed.
What is an overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder, often called OAB, happens when the bladder muscle contracts before it is the right time to empty. This causes urgency, which is a sudden and difficult-to-delay need to pass urine.
Many people with overactive bladder also need to pass urine more often than usual or wake during the night to use the toilet. Some experience leakage before they can reach the toilet. This is known as urge urinary incontinence.
Overactive bladder is different from stress urinary incontinence, where urine leakage happens with activities such as coughing, laughing or exercise. A urine infection can cause similar symptoms, but OAB itself is not caused by infection.
It can affect people at any age and may have a significant impact on sleep, work, confidence and social plans. The good news is that there is a clear treatment pathway, with options that can be tailored to the symptoms affecting you most.
Recognising overactive bladder
Overactive bladder is identified by a group of symptoms centred on urgency.
Urgency
A sudden, compelling need to pass urine that is difficult to postpone.
Frequency and nocturia
Needing to urinate more often than usual, including waking one or more times during the night. Waking to pass urine is known as nocturia.
Urge leakage
Leakage that happens when the urge is so strong that you cannot reach the toilet in time.
How we assess overactive bladder
Your consultant will take time to understand your symptoms, medical history and the impact they are having on your day-to-day life. Assessment may involve straightforward tests to check for infection, assess how well the bladder empties and identify other possible causes.
Consultation and urine test
A detailed discussion about your symptoms, health and medication, with a urine test where appropriate to check for infection, blood or other changes.
Bladder scan and flow tests
A bladder scan or urine flow test may be used to check whether the bladder is emptying properly and whether another condition could be contributing to your symptoms.
Further testing where needed
If symptoms are more complex, urodynamic testing may be recommended. This test looks at how the bladder stores and releases urine.
From assessment to treatment
The first priority is confirming whether overactive bladder is the likely cause of your symptoms and excluding conditions such as infection or incomplete bladder emptying.
Treatment usually begins with conservative measures. These may include bladder retraining, reviewing fluid intake and caffeine, pelvic floor support and medication where appropriate. If symptoms remain troublesome, or medication is not suitable for you, your consultant can discuss further options in a considered, step-by-step way.
A stepped treatment pathway
PTNS
Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, or PTNS, is a course of gentle nerve stimulation treatment. It aims to influence the nerve signals involved in bladder control and may be considered for persistent urgency and frequency.
Bladder Botox
Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, can be injected into the bladder muscle to help reduce unwanted contractions. It may be considered when other treatments have not provided enough improvement.
Why choose The Forbury Clinic for overactive bladder in London?
A clear stepped pathway
Your care starts with appropriate conservative treatment, with more advanced options considered only when needed.
Assessment tailored to your symptoms
Your consultant will consider urgency, frequency, night-time symptoms and any leakage, as well as your general health and medical history.
Drug-free options available
PTNS may be suitable for some people who prefer to avoid medication or have not found it helpful.
Consultant-led direct access
You will be assessed by a consultant urologist, with self-referral welcome at our London clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Is overactive bladder the same as urinary incontinence?
They are related but not identical. Overactive bladder is defined by urgency, often with frequent urination and waking at night. When urgency causes urine leakage, this is called urge urinary incontinence.
Is overactive bladder caused by an infection?
No. Overactive bladder is not usually caused by infection, but a urine infection can cause similar symptoms. Your consultant may arrange a urine test to help rule this out.
Do I have to take medication?
Not necessarily. Treatment may begin with bladder retraining, changes to fluid habits and pelvic floor support. Drug-free options such as PTNS can also be considered where appropriate.
Will it get worse with age?
Overactive bladder is not an inevitable part of ageing. Symptoms can often be managed or improved with the right assessment and treatment plan.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You are welcome to self-refer and arrange a consultation directly with our team.
Take control of an overactive bladder
Urgency, frequency and urge leakage do not have to dictate your routine. Our consultant urologists can help you understand your symptoms and discuss the appropriate next steps.
- AppointmentBook a consultation
- Reception0118 920 7055
- Location
The Forbury Clinic London, 45 Queen Anne St, London, W1G 9J
