How is Menopause Related with Overactive Bladder?

When a woman’s ovaries stop releasing eggs, and her menstruation ends, then this phase of her life is known as menopause. Most of the women experience menopause during later forties or early fifties. When a woman is expected to reach menopause or has already met with it, then it might experience a medical situation known as overactive bladder or OAB. Overactive bladder can be witnessed with following symptoms:

·         Increased frequency of urination

·         An instant urge to urinate

·         Frequent urination during the night time

·         Difficulty controlling urination

As per a study conducted by the Urology Care Foundation, women after menopause are at a great risk of experiencing this problem.

Relation between Menopause and Overactive Bladder

Pre-menopause or the phase just before the actual menopause women experience a fall in the level of estrogen, which is an important hormone essential for female sexual development. This hormone is released by the ovaries, and besides playing a crucial role in thedevelopment of reproductive and sexual systems, this hormone affects the well-being of other body organs, such as pelvic muscles, urinary tract, and more.

Once a woman reaches menopause her body stops producing estrogen, which further reduces the strength of the bladder and pelvic tissues. Low levels of estrogenresult in lost strength of the pelvic muscles and even cause intense pressure around the urethra muscle. There are various types of bladder related problems that a woman might experience due to menopause, and one of them is anoveractive bladder.During this ailment, a woman feels like urinating very often and wish to go to the bathroom even when there is no need. Sometimes the problem is so severe that a woman experiences aleak of urine during a cough, sneeze, or laugh.

Diagnosing Bladder Control Problem

In order to diagnose the problem, an experienced doctor would perform a proper physical exam of the body and even the pelvic muscles. You even have to undergo some laboratory tests to identify signs of urinary tract infection. Once the examination process is completed, you would be then asked to maintain a schedule of your urination frequency and timing. You even have to maintain a record of your diet in the diary or any overwhelming desires you could recall.

Treatment for Menopause Related Overactive Bladder

If you are diagnosed with this problem, then the very first thing you need to do is to change your diet and include drinking fluids like water, almond milk, soy milk, and avoid drinking coffee, tea, and juices. You even need to stop eating chocolates, tomatoes, spicy food, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. In addition to this, you need to perform Kegel exercise ideal to strengthen your pelvic muscle. If there is aneed, then you need to take estrogen supplements in order to strengthen urethra muscle and enhance blood flow. If anything else does not work, then you need to go through surgery.

The symptoms of overactive bladder are irritating and can make it difficult for you to enjoy your everyday activities. But the good thing is that a correct treatment can combat this problem with ease. So, if you are experiencing any such troubles, then it is essential that you consult an experienced doctor instantly.