Symptoms

If you have an overactive bladder, you may:

• Feel a sudden urge to urinate that's difficult to control
• Experience unintentional loss of urine immediately after an urgent need to urinate (urgency incontinence)
• Urinate frequently, usually eight or more times in 24 hours
• Wake up more than two times in the night to urinate (nocturia)

Even if you are able to get to the toilet in time when you sense an urge to urinate, unexpected frequent urination and nighttime urination can disrupt your life.

When to see a doctor

Although it's not uncommon among older adults, overactive bladder isn't a normal part of aging. It might not be easy to discuss your symptoms, but if they are distressing you or disrupting your life, talk to your doctor. Treatments are available that might help you.