Overactive Bladder

A healthcare provider can diagnose overactive bladder by reviewing your symptoms and conducting a physical examination of the organs around your pelvis and rectum. They may ask you questions such as:

• What are your symptoms?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Do you have a family history of overactive bladder?
• What over-the-counter and prescription drugs do you take?
• What kinds of fluids do you drink during the day?
• What time of day do you drink certain fluids?
• What do you eat during the day?

They may also refer you to a urologist. A urologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases and conditions that affect your urinary tract and reproductive system.

What tests will be done to diagnose overactive bladder?

A healthcare provider may order tests to help diagnose overactive bladder. These tests may include:

• Urinalysis. A urinalysis (urine test) examines the visual, chemical and microscopic aspects of your pee. A provider will look for red blood cells, white blood cells and bacteria. If you have any of them in your pee sample, you may have an infection that causes OAB.
• Urodynamic testing. Urodynamic tests measure how much pee remains in your bladder after you go to the bathroom, how much you pee, how fast you pee and how much pressure is on your bladder as it fills with pee.
• Ultrasound. An ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging test that allows a healthcare provider to take a detailed look at your bladder.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan is a noninvasive imaging test that produces 3D images of your bladder.
• Cystoscopy. A healthcare provider will use a special instrument (cystoscope) to look inside your bladder from your urethra. The provider typically uses a numbing gel so you don’t feel pain in your urethra. In rare cases, they may use general anesthesia, so you aren’t awake, won’t move and won’t feel any pain.