Overactive Bladder (OAB) Symptoms
Know the physical symptoms
Like most medical conditions, there are specific physical symptoms associated with OAB. These are the main symptoms of OAB:
Urgency
Having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away.
Frequency
Having to go to the bathroom too often, also called "urinary frequency". A need to go to the bathroom 8 or more times per day.
Leakage
Leaking or wetting accidents, also called "urinary incontinence".
What causes these symptoms? When you have OAB, your bladder muscle contracts before your bladder expands to its full size, meaning your internal plumbing is working overtime. Medications like VESIcare can help control your OAB symptoms.
Watch out for these clues, too
Besides the physical symptoms listed above, there can be other important clues that you may be experiencing OAB symptoms: specifically, the ways you might be trying to cope with your condition. Take a look at the list below. How many of these describe you?
Be aware if you're:
- Cutting down on drinking fluids even when you're thirsty
- Needing to know where a bathroom is at all times
- Bringing pads or extra clothes with you when you're away from home
- Wearing darker colors to hide leaks
When to talk to your doctor
You don't always have to compromise when it comes to OAB. Take charge and talk to your doctor about your overactive bladder symptoms and some of the ways you've been trying to manage them. Check out the Doctor Conversation Guide for an easy, customizable way to get the conversation going.
You can also tune in to Pipe Talk to hear hosts Bree, Jackie, and Nell chat about their bladder symptoms, and why they were determined to take action to discuss their bladder symptoms with their doctor.

