Telehealth Visits Improve Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Women

Overactive bladder is a chronic condition that affects about one in five women, causing a sudden and hard-to-control urge to urinate. A new study by Harvard researchers suggests that adding telehealth visits to usual care can significantly improve symptoms in women with this condition.

What is Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder is a condition characterized by the following symptoms:

• Sudden, strong urges to urinate

• Frequent urination (more than eight times a day)

• Waking up more than twice at night to urinate

• Urinary incontinence (leaking urine)

While the exact cause of overactive bladder is not always clear, it can be related to muscle spasms in the bladder, nerve damage, or certain medical conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

How Telehealth Visits Can Help

In the pilot study published in the journal Menopause, researchers found that adding telehealth visits to usual care led to significant improvements in urinary symptoms and less urine leakage in women with overactive bladder.

Instead of a traditional follow-up office visit three months after diagnosis, participants scheduled an asynchronous telehealth visit about a month later. This involved completing an electronic questionnaire about their symptoms and treatment progress. Clinicians then provided personalized recommendations, such as adjusting medications or reinforcing lifestyle changes to improve symptoms.

Benefits of Telehealth for Overactive Bladder Management

• Convenient access to care without the need for in-person visits

• Timely adjustments to treatment plans based on patient feedback

• Reinforcement of lifestyle changes to manage symptoms

• High patient satisfaction with the treatment experience

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Overactive Bladder

In addition to medication and telehealth visits, making certain lifestyle changes can help manage overactive bladder symptoms:

• Cutting back on fluids and caffeine

• Practicing pelvic floor exercises (Kegels)

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Quitting smoking

If you are experiencing symptoms of overactive bladder, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options, including the potential benefits of incorporating telehealth visits into your care plan. With proper management and support, it is possible to significantly improve your quality of life and reduce the impact of this chronic condition.

For more information on overactive bladder and its management, visit:

• Urology Care Foundation: Overactive Bladder (OAB)

• Voices for PFD: Overactive Bladder

• National Association for Continence: Overactive Bladder