By EKalman November 20, 2023 - 3:26am

Stress definitely stems from having an overactive bladder, but is the opposite true? Is it possible for stress to produce an overactive bladder?

The link between stress and sickness is complicated, and there is evidence that stress may play a role in the condition known as overactive bladder. Let's look at why it happens and how to stop frequent urination.

What Exactly is an Overactive Bladder?
Many of us have had that uneasy feeling when we need to pee urgently and can't hold it any longer. If this occurs frequently, you may have an overactive bladder.

This syndrome is distinguished by frequent and unexpected desires to urinate, which can be difficult to manage. You may feel the desire to pee frequently during the day and night. Urgency incontinence, or the unintended loss of urine, is another case.

You are not alone if you experience these symptoms. According to one estimate, 33 million adults in the United States are afflicted, with up to 30% of men and 40% of women. The figure could be significantly higher if people are embarrassed about their condition and don't report it.

Dealing with this on a frequent basis can lead to anxiety, which can lead to self-isolation. It may cause you to restrict your work and social activities. All of this can lead to anxiety, tension, and even depression.

Does Stress Have Something to Do With the Overactive Bladder?
Stress is a natural physical, mental, and emotional response to a traumatic incident. It can be used positively, resulting in growth, activity, and change. However, long-term stress might reduce your quality of life.

Extreme stress can cause migraines, high blood pressure, and other physical symptoms. Furthermore, stress might have an effect on the health of your bladder.

This involves a link between stress and an overactive bladder. In one study, patients with overactive bladder (OAB) reported much higher levels of psychological stress than healthy control patients. There was also a link between perceived stress and urine incontinence symptoms, as well as their impact on the quality of life in OAB patients.

Other research has found a link between anxiety, overactive bladder, and urine incontinence symptoms. According to one study, 48% of OAB individuals, or nearly half, exhibited anxiety symptoms, with one-quarter, or 24%, having moderate to severe anxiety.

There are various possible causes of stress-induced OAB.

The first is the body's natural "flight or fight" response to stress. In patients with OAB, the increased sensitivity of the neurological system leads to increased bladder stimulation. Having urinary incontinence adds to the worry that you won't be able to use the restroom in time. Because of your anxiousness, your bladder becomes even more reactive, and you become trapped in a "vicious cycle."

Another explanation is that anxiety and stress generate muscle tension, which affects the bladder muscles and increases the desire to urinate.

Finally, studies have found a link between nocturia, a sign of OAB in which you wake up frequently during the night to use the loo, and melancholy and anxiety. According to one study, depression causes nocturia.

How Can Overactive Bladder Stress Be Alleviated?
Because the association between stress and overactive bladder can go both ways—overactive bladder can cause stress, and stress can cause overactive bladder—treatment can also vary.

You may be able to treat symptoms of an overactive bladder with behavioral measures such as dietary adjustments, timed voiding, and bladder-holding techniques employing your pelvic floor muscles.

You can manage stress by improving your ability to cope with hardship or by practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.

The first step is to consult with a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Consult With a Doctor
If you're suffering from stress, an overactive bladder, or both, look for a urologist in your area. Get assistance and advice to manage your anxiety, depression, and overactive bladder issues.