Why Choose us for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Overactive Bladder?

The providers at Minnesota Urology have many options for the treatment of overactive bladder. Our physicians and staff are dedicated to working with you to find the right solution for you and offer a complete range of appropriate options, from conservative to surgical. We are trained and practiced in treating overactive bladder and will offer you the best chance to improve your quality of life.

• Why is overactive bladder a problem?

  People suffer physically, emotionally and socially from OAB due to its distressing effects. Those with OAB may limit social interactions, employment opportunities, trips outside of the home and develop social isolation and depression. It may affect exercise, your sleep and your sex life. OAB may also cause skin problems or infections.

• How is overactive bladder evaluated?

  The good old-fashioned history and physical are often all that are needed to start successful treatment. We also check your urine for signs of infection or blood and, in some cases, recommend additional urine tests or cystoscopy (telescope exam of the bladder). Sometimes imaging (X-ray, ultrasound) or urodynamics (specialized testing of the bladder function) are needed. This is more often true for patients who have failed conservative options and are considering moving on to advanced treatments. This helps us to fully understand the problem in order to direct you to the safest and best option for your particular condition.

• What can be done about overactive bladder?

  Thankfully, much can be done. At Minnesota Urology, we have developed an overactive bladder roadmap that includes all of the many treatments that are currently proven to work. Our providers can walk you through the wide variety of treatment types available.

  • Conservative options. You may be ready to start with conservative steps that, in addition to drugs, include behavioral therapies, biofeedback, or physical therapy. You may be surprised at how well conservative options can impact your condition, and we are always satisfied when something simple, inexpensive, safe, and reversible proves to be the right solution.

   

  • Medications. Many medication options have been available for decades which essentially work about the same. Unfortunately, for many they are a limited and unsustainable solution for the problem due to incomplete benefit and side effects, including dry mouth and constipation. Medications don’t solve the problem; they simply attempt to minimize the symptoms. While medications are an option for all of our patients, other options may be more successful and desirable for you.
    

   

  • Advanced options. If you have tried and failed conservative options, we can try advanced options that include nerve stimulation therapies similar to acupuncture (UrgentPC) or implantable sacral neuromodulation devices that are like a pacemaker (InterStim, Axonics). Injection of the bladder with Botox can also be used to treat overactive bladder symptoms successfully. Our providers are experts in helping you weigh the pros and cons or each option and deciding what may work best for you. We are dedicated to helping you with this problem, and we will continue to work to improve symptoms with the increasingly wide range of options that are currently available. There is rarely a patient with this problem whom we cannot help.
• What Are OAB Pathway Services and Patient Navigator Services and How Do They Help Patients?

  Overactive bladder (urinary frequency, urgency and leaking urine) is fairly common, but it is not normal. Fortunately, a variety of treatment options are available – from conservative to more advanced options that are available if more conservative options are not successful. Here at the Metro Urology Division of Minnesota Urology, we offer our patients personalized guidance through the treatment options through our OAB Pathway with direct communication with a dedicated, complimentary OAB Patient Navigator. These services provide patients with an easier and quicker way to find the solution that works best for them, saving them both time and money.

  Evaluation. The OAB Care Pathway begins with an evaluation of the patient’s urgency, frequency and incontinence. Once the evaluation has been completed, our clinical team can recommend therapies to treat symptoms.

  Conservative Therapies. The next step in the care pathway is conservative therapies which may include relevant dietary education/modifications, pelvic floor muscle training and exercise, and bladder training provided through physical therapists and/or biofeedback technicians. OAB medication may be added to assist patients further.

  Potential Re-evaluation. After use of conservative therapy, including medication, the personal Navigator may suggest that the patient return to the office for a re-evaluation. Depending on how the patient has progressed and whether symptoms continue, advanced therapies may be needed.

  Advanced therapies include posterior tibial nerve modulation (PTNM), sacral nerve modulation with InterStim™, Axonics or Botox®. These treatments can be used to treat urgency/frequency caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle and urinary incontinence.

  OAB Patient Navigator (Complimentary, No Additional Charge)

  When a patient chooses to use the complimentary OAB Patient Navigator service, a personal Navigator will call her/him regularly to: explain and answer questions about his/her diagnosis, coordinate communication between the patient and physician, guide the patient through the next steps toward significant improvement in OAB symptoms, and facilitate scheduling treatments.

  Our Clinical team, including the personal Navigator, will help to guide patients through the OAB Care Pathway, from evaluation to conservative treatments to re-evaluation and more invasive treatment, if needed.