Why Overactive Bladder Seems to Be Getting More Common in Men

Key TakeawaysA recent study shows the prevalence of overactive bladder in men increased between 2015 and 2020.Urologists believe it is linked to more awareness of the condition and interest in improving quality of life issues.Overactive bladder symptoms can be a sign of an enlarged prostate.Many treatment options are available for men with overactive bladder.

Key Takeaways

A recent study shows the prevalence of overactive bladder in men increased between 2015 and 2020.Urologists believe it is linked to more awareness of the condition and interest in improving quality of life issues.Overactive bladder symptoms can be a sign of an enlarged prostate.Many treatment options are available for men with overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder is usually associated with older women, but a recent representative cohort study indicates the number of men with overactive bladder is on the rise.

The study, published inScientific Reports, used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the U.S. to establish recent overactive bladder trends among U.S. adult men. The results show that prevalence increased from 11.3% in 2005–2008 to 14.5% in 2015–2020, with the greatest effect among non-Hispanic White and Black men aged 40–59.

While the finding is new, experts suspect plenty of men have been living with overactive bladder all along.

“Overactive bladder is common in both men and women, but I haven’t seen an increase in prevalence among men in my practice,”Craig Comiter, MD, professor of Urology at Stanford Health Care, told Verywell. “We are an aging population and overactive bladder is becoming more common in men—not because of the environment, but because there is more awareness and screening.”

A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.

A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology

Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.

What Is Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder is not a disease but a group of symptoms that include the frequent urge to urinate multiple times during the day or night. It may occur in tandem with leakage or stress urinary incontinence.

Prior to this study, data showed overactive bladder affects 30% of men and 40% of women in the U.S. Many people may be too embarrassed to ask for help.

Causes are typically associated with faulty nerve endings between the bladder and brain or overactive bladder muscles. Risk factors include:

Why Men Experience Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder is likely common yet underdiagnosed in men,Jason Kim, MD, a urologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Verywell.

“Men might be less likely to report symptoms due to embarrassment or a belief that such issues are a normal part of aging,” he said.

While childbirth, urinary tract infections, and menopause-related hormonal changes all compound to make many women more susceptible to overactive bladder later in life,age-related prostate issues tend to result in overactive bladder symptoms for men. In some cases, though, it’s important to differentiate between prostate issues and overactive bladder.

How Is Overactive Bladder in Men Treated?

The differences in anatomy between men and women lead to slightly different treatment options. In men, prostate issues must be ruled out first. Kim said treating BPH tends to alleviate symptoms of overactive bladder.

Prevention is possible, too—but more men need to know what to do.

“Women are always told to do their kegel exercises. Why don’t [men] do that?” Comiter said. “Men should start doing kegels at a young age. They should also avoid the myth [that increased fluid intake is beneficial]. Drink less if you pee too much.”

What This Means For You

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Healio.Overactive bladder cases among men increase sharply during latter half of previous decade.Cheng Y, Chen T, Zheng G, et al.Prevalence and trends in overactive bladder among men in the United States, 2005-2020.Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):16284. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66758-8Urology Care Foundation.Overactive bladder (OAB).Akbar A, Liu K, Michos ED, et al.Association of overactive bladder with hypertension and blood pressure control: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).Am J Hypertens. 2022;35(1):22-30. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpaa186Tomaszewski J.Postmenopausal overactive bladder.Prz Menopauzalny. 2014;13(6):313-329. doi:10.5114/pm.2014.47984National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).UpToDate.Patient education: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Beyond the Basics).Hutchinson A, Nesbitt A, Joshi A, Clubb A, Perera M.Overactive bladder syndrome: management and treatment options.Aust J Gen Pract. 2020;49(9):593-598. doi:10.31128/AJGP-11-19-5142

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Healio.Overactive bladder cases among men increase sharply during latter half of previous decade.Cheng Y, Chen T, Zheng G, et al.Prevalence and trends in overactive bladder among men in the United States, 2005-2020.Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):16284. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66758-8Urology Care Foundation.Overactive bladder (OAB).Akbar A, Liu K, Michos ED, et al.Association of overactive bladder with hypertension and blood pressure control: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).Am J Hypertens. 2022;35(1):22-30. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpaa186Tomaszewski J.Postmenopausal overactive bladder.Prz Menopauzalny. 2014;13(6):313-329. doi:10.5114/pm.2014.47984National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).UpToDate.Patient education: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Beyond the Basics).Hutchinson A, Nesbitt A, Joshi A, Clubb A, Perera M.Overactive bladder syndrome: management and treatment options.Aust J Gen Pract. 2020;49(9):593-598. doi:10.31128/AJGP-11-19-5142

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Healio.Overactive bladder cases among men increase sharply during latter half of previous decade.Cheng Y, Chen T, Zheng G, et al.Prevalence and trends in overactive bladder among men in the United States, 2005-2020.Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):16284. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66758-8Urology Care Foundation.Overactive bladder (OAB).Akbar A, Liu K, Michos ED, et al.Association of overactive bladder with hypertension and blood pressure control: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).Am J Hypertens. 2022;35(1):22-30. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpaa186Tomaszewski J.Postmenopausal overactive bladder.Prz Menopauzalny. 2014;13(6):313-329. doi:10.5114/pm.2014.47984National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).UpToDate.Patient education: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Beyond the Basics).Hutchinson A, Nesbitt A, Joshi A, Clubb A, Perera M.Overactive bladder syndrome: management and treatment options.Aust J Gen Pract. 2020;49(9):593-598. doi:10.31128/AJGP-11-19-5142

Healio.Overactive bladder cases among men increase sharply during latter half of previous decade.

Cheng Y, Chen T, Zheng G, et al.Prevalence and trends in overactive bladder among men in the United States, 2005-2020.Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):16284. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66758-8

Urology Care Foundation.Overactive bladder (OAB).

Akbar A, Liu K, Michos ED, et al.Association of overactive bladder with hypertension and blood pressure control: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).Am J Hypertens. 2022;35(1):22-30. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpaa186

Tomaszewski J.Postmenopausal overactive bladder.Prz Menopauzalny. 2014;13(6):313-329. doi:10.5114/pm.2014.47984

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

UpToDate.Patient education: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Beyond the Basics).

Hutchinson A, Nesbitt A, Joshi A, Clubb A, Perera M.Overactive bladder syndrome: management and treatment options.Aust J Gen Pract. 2020;49(9):593-598. doi:10.31128/AJGP-11-19-5142

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