Bladder Training for Overactive Bladder: A Quick How-To

 

It's estimated that 33 million Americans and 20% of the world's population struggles with Overactive Bladder (OAB), with older adults & obese people being disproportionately affected.  Unlike some other incontinence conditions, OAB tends to affect men and women at relatively similar rates (men 16%; women 21%) and is thought to be majorly under-diagnosed.  While not life-threatening, OAB can cause distress by requiring frequent bathroom breaks and causing close calls and accidents when a bathroom isn't available. 

Doctors encourage people with OAB to extend the time between bathroom breaks gradually on a timed schedule, which as we all know can put one at risk for little accidents.  This lends itself well to Omorashi for obvious reasons:  the hyperfocus on one's bladder, the increased desperation and longer holding, the possibility of accidents.  Bonus:  It can really help with OAB as well when done properly & consistently.  Here's what they recommend:

"Bladder training" tips via Google AI summary

Obviously you'll want to start this process on a weekend or when you have a week or more at home to be close to a toilet "just in case".  Then when you transition to in-public you can wear an incontinence pad or similar if you like, but it's generally pretty safe as long as you're only dealing with OAB.  Just don't over-hydrate yourself or do anything you wouldn't normally do--the goal is to go about your day as you normally would, just with increasingly long intervals between bathroom breaks.  Eventually this becomes your new normal.  Set a timer on your cell phone or watch if you need a gentle reminder when it's time to hit the loo.

Surfing the "urge wave"

This is not to say that excessively long holds are good or safe for everyone, but some people get into the opposite habit of using a bathroom every time they pass it "just in case," This shrinks the bladder and makes urgency worse over time.  This is advice for those folks, not you all-day holders.  This process is essentially the opposite of "unpotty training" which I discussed in some detail here.  (Reminder:  I offer full customized instruction guides on unpotty training for $15 via email with pictures, links to secondary sources and easy step-by-step directions for anyone interested).  

Regarding unpotty training, just wetting every time you have the slightest urge is one way diaper wearers lose control of their bladders permanently, which is like an extreme version of what many OAB sufferers do by using a toilet too often.  So hopefully you can see how this habit taken to its extreme can cause problems.  If you consider it a "problem" that is.  😉