Overactive Bladder & Urge Incontinence in Women: DFW's Expert Solutions

Reclaim Control: Find Relief from Frequent Urges and Leaks at UPNT

For nearly half of all adult women in the United States, urinary incontinence—the involuntary loss of bladder control, often called a “leaky bladder”—is a common and frustrating reality. But for women in the DFW Metroplex experiencing Overactive Bladder (OAB) and Urge Incontinence, the solution to living dry is within reach at Urology Physicians of North Texas (UPNT). Our compassionate female urology specialists are dedicated to providing the most advanced and personalized care, helping you regain bladder control and live confidently again.

What is Overactive Bladder (OAB) and Urge Incontinence?

Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a set of urinary symptoms, the most prominent being a sudden, strong, and difficult-to-defer urge to urinate. This urge often occurs even when your bladder isn’t full and can lead to frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the day and night.
When this strong urge results in involuntary leakage of urine before you can make it to the toilet, it is known as Urge Incontinence. Unlike stress incontinence (where leaks occur with physical activity like coughing or sneezing), urge incontinence is characterized by the bladder muscles contracting unexpectedly and prematurely, creating that sudden, uncontrollable need to go.

Symptoms of Overactive Bladder & Urge Incontinence

If you’re experiencing OAB or urge incontinence, you might recognize these common symptoms:

Urgency: A sudden, strong, and often overwhelming need to urinate that is difficult to postpone.
Frequency: Urinating much more often than usual, typically eight or more times in a 24-hour period.
Nocturia: Waking up two or more times during the night to urinate.
Urge Incontinence: The involuntary loss of urine that may occur immediately following a sudden urge to go.

Why Do Women Develop OAB & Urge Incontinence?

Overactive bladder is not always a normal part of aging, though it can become more common in women in their 40s and 50s. The core issue in OAB is often the involuntary contraction of the bladder muscles, even when the bladder contains only a small amount of urine. This creates a strong, sudden urge to urinate.

Several factors can contribute to OAB and urge incontinence, including:

Bladder Irritants: Certain foods, drinks (like caffeine or alcohol), or even medications can sometimes irritate the bladder, triggering symptoms.
Weakened Pelvic Floor: While more directly linked to stress incontinence, a weakened pelvic floor can sometimes contribute to mixed incontinence where urge symptoms are also present.
Other Factors: Conditions like chronic constipation, urinary tract infections, or even anxiety can sometimes exacerbate OAB symptoms.

Diagnosing Overactive Bladder & Urge Incontinence at UPNT

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. At UPNT, our female urology experts will conduct a thorough evaluation to pinpoint the specific causes of your OAB and urge incontinence. Our diagnostic process typically includes:

Detailed Medical History: We'll discuss your symptoms, their impact on your life, past medical conditions, medications, and fluid intake habits.
Comprehensive Physical Examination: This is a critical, hands-on step where your UPNT physician carefully evaluates your overall health, abdominal area, and performs a comprehensive pelvic exam. This thorough assessment is vital for:

Urinalysis & Urine Culture: To rule out urinary tract infections or other underlying bladder conditions that might mimic OAB symptoms.
Bladder Diary: You may be asked to keep a record of your fluid intake, urination frequency, and leakage episodes. This provides invaluable data for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Urodynamic Testing: In many cases, specialized urodynamic tests are performed to thoroughly assess your bladder function, pressure dynamics, and urine flow patterns. This comprehensive evaluation is crucial for accurately confirming the type and severity of incontinence and, most importantly, guiding your physician to determine the most effective and personalized treatment plan for you.

Comprehensive Treatment Options for OAB & Urge Incontinence

At UPNT, we offer a full spectrum of advanced treatment options for Overactive Bladder and urge incontinence. Our approach is personalized, starting with conservative methods and progressing to more advanced therapies when needed, ensuring the best possible outcome for you.

Lifestyle & Behavioral Modifications:

Often the first line of treatment, these simple changes can significantly improve OAB symptoms:

Fluid & Diet Modification: Adjusting fluid intake and avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and acidic foods.
Weight Loss: For overweight or obese individuals, reducing weight can decrease pressure on the bladder.
Pelvic Floor Therapy/Kegel Exercises: Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can help improve bladder control and suppress urgency, even if they don't address the involuntary contractions directly.
Bladder Retraining: Gradually increasing the time between urination to help your bladder hold more urine and reduce urgency.

Medications:

When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, various prescription medications can effectively calm an overactive bladder:

Advanced Therapies & Procedures:

For women who don’t respond adequately to conservative measures or medications, UPNT offers state-of-the-art procedures:

Beyond cosmetic uses, Botox works by temporarily calming the overactive nerves and muscles that effect bladder control to reduce or eliminate the sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate.
Administered by injection directly into the bladder wall during an in-office procedure, most people notice improvement within about two weeks.
Botox can control incontinence for several months, and the injections typically last 6 months.

Utilizing technology similar to a cardiac pacemaker, this therapy dramatically impacts the lives of people with OAB.
A small, battery-operated device sends mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves that control the bladder.
Stimulating these nerves helps the bladder relax, hold more urine, and spasm less, reducing frequency and leakage.
Patients undergo a trial period to see if it works before having it implanted in the upper buttock. About 85% of people who receive the device have significant improvement of OAB symptoms.

This is a series of weekly outpatient treatments typically given over 12 weeks.
It uses mild electrical stimulation to retrain the nerves that control bladder function.
An acupuncture type needle electrode is placed near the ankle. A stimulator sends mild electrical pulses through the electrode to the tibial nerve, which connects to the sacral nerve plexus at the base of the spine, influencing bladder contractions.
PTNS can reduce urgency, frequency, and accidents without surgery or the systemic side effects of many oral medications. Monthly follow-up treatments help maintain results.

Why Choose UPNT for Your OAB & Urge Incontinence Care in the DFW Metroplex?

When you choose Urology Physicians of North Texas, you’re choosing:

Specialized Expertise: Our urologists are highly trained in female urology and specifically in the complex mechanisms of overactive bladder and urge incontinence.
Comprehensive Physician-Led Care: From accurate diagnosis through a full spectrum of conservative, medication-based, and advanced procedural treatments, we offer all the solutions you need under one roof. Our commitment includes thorough pre-operative evaluations and personalized, in-person post-operative follow-up with your urologist. This ensures continuity of care, direct physician assessment of your recovery, and optimized long-term results.

Personalized Treatment Plans: We understand that every woman's experience with incontinence is unique. We take the time to listen, evaluate, and create a customized plan that aligns with your lifestyle and goals.

Advanced Techniques: We stay at the forefront of urological advancements, offering proven, state-of-the-art therapies that deliver excellent results.

Compassionate & Discreet Environment: We pride ourselves on providing care in a supportive, understanding, and confidential setting, ensuring you feel comfortable throughout your journey to dryness.

Ready to Reclaim Your Life, Free from the Urge?

You don’t have to live with the disruption and frustration of overactive bladder or urge incontinence. The dedicated specialists at Urology Physicians of North Texas are here to help you find lasting relief.

Contact UPNT today to schedule a confidential consultation at one of our convenient DFW Metroplex locations. It's time to regain control!

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