---
title: "Overactive Bladder (OAB)"
url: https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/o/overactive-bladder-(oab)/
description: "Overactive bladder (OAB) is the name for a group of urinary symptoms. It is not a disease. The most common symptom is a sudden, uncontrolled need or urge..."
---

# Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Overactive bladder (OAB) is the name for a group of urinary symptoms. It is not a disease. The most common symptom is a sudden, uncontrolled need or urge to urinate. Some people will leak urine when they feel this urge. Another symptom is the need to pass urine many times during the day and night. OAB is basically the feeling that you've "gotta' go" to the bathroom urgently and too much.

Archived from the 2024 edition

## Overview

Leaking urine is called "incontinence". Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), is another common bladder problem. It's different from OAB. People with SUI leak urine while sneezing, laughing or doing other physical activities. More information on SUI can be found at www.urologyhealth.org/SUI/.

As many as 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women in the United States live with OAB symptoms. Many people living with OAB don't ask for help. They may feel embarrassed. Many people either don't know how to talk with their health care provider about their symptoms, or they think there aren't treatments that can help.

## In this entry

The archived page carried these sections, in this order.

- Key Statistics
- How OAB Can Affect Your Life
- The Truth About OAB
- Symptoms
- If you live with OAB, you may also:
- Causes
- Risk Factors for OAB
- How the Urinary Tract Works Normally
- Diagnosis
- Medical History

## Other entries in Bladder Cancer, Control and Health

- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Uretheral Lesions Boys](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-uretheral-lesions-boys/)
- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Uretheral Lesions Girls](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-uretheral-lesions-girls/)
- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Urethral Lesions](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-urethral-lesions/)
- [Bladder Augmentation (Enlargement)](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-augmentation-(enlargement)/)
- [Bladder Cancer](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/n/non-muscle-invasive-bladder-cancer/)
- [Bladder Control Problems in Children](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-control-problems-in-children/)
- [Bladder Diverticulum](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-diverticulum/)
- [Bladder Dysfunction and Urine Control in Children](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-dysfunction-and-urine-control-in-children/)

### Source of this entry

- Original address**/urology-a-z/o/overactive-bladder-(oab)/**
- Edition**2024 edition**
- Group**Bladder Cancer, Control and Health**

### This is not medical advice

These pages are archived reference copies of material published on this domain. They are not medical advice, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for talking with a health professional.

### Related topics

- [About OAB](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/its-time-to-talk-about-oab/about-oab/)
- [Overactive Bladder: Patient Guide](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/overactive-bladder/)
- [Urologic Conditions](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urologic-conditions/)
- [Educational Materials](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/educational-materials/)

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