Feeling a sudden urge to go to the toilet, needing to urinate frequently, or even experiencing urinary leakage… If these recurring issues sound familiar, you may have an overactive bladder. But what is it exactly? What are the symptoms and causes of bladder overactivity? And above all, how can you manage it?

Here are the 3 key takeaways from this article: 

  • Understanding the condition: Recognise the warning signs of an overly sensitive bladder and identify the causes (medical or lifestyle-related).
  • What users experience: Discover the stories of women who have successfully regained control of their bodies.
  • Taking action: Discover natural remedies, bladder training, and pelvic floor training with Emy Trainer.

What are the symptoms of an overactive bladder?

Let’s start with the basics. The bladder is an organ made up of several muscles: the detrusor (the wall) and the sphincters (which are responsible for continence). In theory, these muscles only contract when the bladder is full and needs to be emptied.

Normally, the bladder muscle relaxes as it fills. Then the urge to urinate is felt when the bladder is half full. When this sensation appears, most people are able to hold on for a certain amount of time. Until it is time to urinate.

But in the case of overactive bladder, the detrusor contracts involuntarily, repeatedly and uncontrollably, for no apparent reason. It is also known as an “irritable bladder” or “sensitive bladder.” As a result, the person feels their bladder is full long before it actually is. In turn, they also have less control over bladder contraction during urination.

woman lying down suffering from pain during pregnancy

More common in women than men, detrusor overactivity usually leads to the following symptoms:

  • Urgency. Because the need to urinate is sudden and pressing, the person must go to the toilet immediately.
  • Frequent urination. In general, the person needs to urinate more than eight times a day.
  • Night-time urination, or nocturia. This means waking up to go to the toilet at least once during the night.
  • Urge incontinence. Some people with overactive bladder may even experience urinary leakage (mild or more significant).

The cause of an overactive bladder hyperactive

Most often, the reason an overactive bladder develops is unknown. It is then referred to as overactive bladder when no other medical cause seems to explain the symptoms. Urinary tract infection, diabetes, bladder stones, enlarged prostate…

However, symptoms often get worse during periods of stress. Certain substances — such as caffeine, tea and alcohol — can also make overactive bladder symptoms worse.

In addition, many women experience overactive bladder during pregnancy. On the one hand, the uterus puts pressure on the bladder. On the other, blood flow increases significantly.

pregnant woman with urinary leaks

Then, in the weeks after childbirth, bladder control can also become more difficult. That’s why good postpartum pelvic floor recovery is so important — we’ll cover this later in the article.

Finally, in other people, overactive bladder symptoms are more often a complication of a brain or nervous system condition. Examples include stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury.

Overactive bladder: what our users say

Using the Emy Trainer pelvic floor trainer has helped many women regain real day-to-day comfort and ease with these symptoms. Here are some of their stories:

  • The Marie-Pierre story: She openly explains how using Emy Trainer helped reduce her urinary leaks fivefold.

  • A renewed sense of bladder comfort: Maryse describes the relief she feels from the results: “I feel less pressure on my bladder thanks to Emy Trainer”.

  • The Isabelle story: She explains how pelvic floor recovery at home helped her reduce leaks and fully take back control of her life as a woman.

How do you treat an overactive bladder?

Don’t worry — there are several ways to treat an overactive bladder. Alongside medication as a last resort, these natural solutions can help you better understand and control your bladder.

Bladder retraining

First, you can train your bladder. Instead of going as soon as you feel the need, do it at specific times of day. These scheduled trips to the toilet will help you learn to control your urge to urinate.

woman on the toilet because she has a incontinence

Start by waiting a few minutes before urinating, then gradually increase the length of time. While sitting, contract the pelvic floor muscles several times in a row. When the urge to urinate subsides, resume your activities.

Be patient: results can take up to 8 weeks.

Pelvic floor exercises

Next, you need to strengthen the muscles that control urination: the pelvic floor. For this, nothing beats Kegel exercises. These involve contracting and then relaxing the pelvic floor at varying rhythms and intensities.

connected biofeedback pelvic floor trainer emy

To support you in your pelvic floor training, you can even use a biofeedback pelvic floor trainer. It helps you train the right muscles, in the right way.

Learn more about my pelvic floor

Which plant can help relieve an overactive bladder?

Finally, certain antioxidant-rich plants can also help you calm the symptoms of an overactive bladder:

  • Orthosiphon, cranberry, pumpkin seeds. Diuretic effect, better toxin drainage, reduced risk of urinary tract infection.
  • Yellow nettle, cinnamon, saw palmetto, Ganoderma lucidum (reishi). Better nerve function, muscle relaxation.
  • Cypress nuts, field horsetail, hops. Vasoconstrictive effect, toning of the detrusor muscle.
  • Gosha-jinki-gan, hachi-mi-jio-gan. Regulation of the urge to urinate.

These plants are consumed as herbal teas or essential oils, depending on the ingredient and your medical condition.

doctor holding plants to treat urinary leakage

Seek medical advice

An overactive bladder can be disabling in everyday life. If you’re affected, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional. They will then recommend a bladder treatment tailored to your situation.

What to remember about overactive bladder: 

  • It’s not inevitable: There are practical, natural solutions to help calm an overactive bladder.
  • Training is essential: Strengthening your pelvic floor, especially with tools like biofeedback, helps you better control involuntary contractions.
  • Medical support matters: Don’t hesitate to break the taboo and talk to a professional support to give you personalised follow-up, while continuing your rehabilitation at home with Emy Trainer.

Sources: 

  • Prospective evaluation of the connected biofeedback EMY Kegel trainer in the management of stress urinary incontinence, Jochum F et al., February 2022, Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction 51(2):102280. - link
  • Pelvic Floor Muscle Rehabilitation Using Biofeedback, Diane Kaschak Newman, July 2014, Urologic Nursing 34(4):193-202. - link
  • Rehabilitation in the postpartum period, Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS), December 2002, Clinical practice recommendations. - link 

FAQ – Pelvic floor and Urinary Incontinence

Are bladder leaks normal?

They are common: according to Cardozo et al. (ICS, 2023), 1 in 3 women suffer from urinary incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, intense sport or repeated heavy lifting can weaken the pelvic floor. Common does not mean you have to put up with it: help is available and it is worth talking to a health professional.

What are the different types of urinary incontinence?

The main types are stress incontinence (when coughing, laughing, sneezing, running or carrying a heavy load), urge incontinence (a sudden, strong need to urinate that is difficult to control, often associated with an overactive bladder), and mixed incontinence, which combines both. Identifying the type of incontinence helps the healthcare professional determine the right treatment.

What should I do about bladder leaks, and who should I see?

Start by talking to your GP. They can look into the cause and refer you to a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist on the NHS, where supervised pelvic floor muscle training is the recommended first step for stress leaks [À VÉRIFIER] possibilité d'auto-orientation selon les régions. Regular pelvic floor exercises at home can complement this support. See a doctor promptly if you notice blood in your urine, a burning sensation or a fever.

Does biofeedback help with urinary incontinence?

In a clinical study conducted at the Strasbourg University Hospital among patients with stress urinary incontinence, 98% of participants reported an improvement in their quality of life after 3 months of using the Emy Trainer biofeedback device (Jochum et al., 2021). In case of urinary leaks, always consult a healthcare professional first.
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